Kinetics Wave Baffles - John Madejski Academy
The Challenge
Specialising in PE and sport and demonstrating the latest in educational thinking, the design of the new build John Madejski Academy in Reading, was approved as ‘exemplar’ by the Department for Education and Skills’ BSF initiative.
In keeping with the high standards of design at the school, an acoustic treatment was required to optimise the reverberation times in the multi-purpose sports hall and dance studio. High usage of these areas meant that an acoustic solution had to be identified that would not be damaged by pupils’ activities.
The Solution
CMS Acoustics recommended and supplied Kinetics Wave Baffles, a high performance acoustic panel system, to absorb airborne sound without compromising the space available for lessons. Available exclusively in the UK through CMS Acoustics, Kinetics Wave Baffles offer excellent sound absorption in the 125 - 4,000Hz range, when tested in accordance with ASTM C423-90a standards.
Designed for horizontal suspension at ceiling level, Kinetics Wave Baffles comprise a fibreglass blanket encapsulated in a sewn sailcloth fabric. Offered in a wide range of finishing colours and sizes, Kinetics Wave Baffles can be used to create an attractive ceiling feature.
At the John Madejski Academy, a grey ‘seafoam’ sailcloth fabric was selected for the 0.84m wide panels, which ranged in lengths up to 5.9m. With brass grommets fitted into the baffles, the panels were hung from cables between the steel ceiling beams in the sports hall and dance studio, creating a wave-like effect.
Mark Munn, at installers MPG Contracts Ltd, comments: “CMS Acoustics were able to accommodate changes required in the suspension method of the wave baffles. With the brass grommets in place on the top and bottom of each Kinetics Wave Baffle, the installation process was really straightforward.”
Results
Covering approximately 400m2 and over 90m2 of the equivalent floor area in the sports hall and dance studio respectively, Kinetics Wave Baffles were installed at the John Madejski Academy to prevent nuisance noise from causing a disturbance to lessons. Designed to be suspended from the ceiling, the acoustic treatment helped to control excessive reverberation, but would not be damaged by pupils’ activities.
Product Case Study
