Knauf Drywall - Knauf Drywall sounds Scientific at Durham
University
Complex designs and strict acoustic requirements in
Durham University’s striking new Science lecture
theatres called for ‘scientific’ drylining solutions,
that take an unusual angle on installations.
Subcontractor Plaslines Ltd completed the £500,000
ceilings and partitions package using Knauf Drywall’s
Apertura Cleaneo perforated plasterboard for walls and
the Knauf Shaftwall system to line the underside of
seating tiers. Drylining in the university’s landmark
new building has been shortlisted for the Plaisterers
Trophy award.
The new building was designed by Building Design
Partnership, Glasgow, and built by Laing O’Rourke. It
has a tiered 400-seat lecture theatre on the ground
floor, and two tiered 260-seat lecture theatres above
it, all with floor to soffit heights in excess of 8
metres. It also has a 160 seat, flat-floored teaching
room on the top floor, and an IT Techno-café which
supports computer-based learning and offers light
snacks.
Plaslines Director Paul Sweeney says the compact plan
arrangement and the raked lecture theatre profiles
created challenging internal geometric relationships
between walls and ceilings. The challenges also included
a 60 minute fire rated plenum under the theatre seating,
8 metre high, 63dB Rw partitions between lecture
theatres, and 8 metre high curved independent wall
linings at the perimeter of the theatres and stairs.
And, as the project was located centrally within the
campus, there were logistical problems for deliveries.
“At tender stage, Knauf Drywall assisted Laing O’Rourke
in preparing an outline specification to meet the
rigorous technical and acoustic demands of the project,”
says Paul Sweeney. “The challenges were overcome by
innovative design and construction."
“The plenum was needed to insulate the theatres from
foyer and machine room noise. It was constructed with a
novel sloping Knauf Shaftwall system between the
supporting steelwork, with a rear layer of Knauf
Coreboard and two layers of 15mm Knauf Soundshield, then
a Knauf MF suspended ceiling system underneath. "
“The 63dB Rw partition has a twin framed I stud system,
double boarded on both sides and with acoustic
insulation between the frames. Wall linings consist of
146mm I studs, double boarded to create a 10 metre
radius to the perimeter of the lecture theatres. Knauf
Apertura Cleaneo perforated plasterboard – more usually
found in ceilings – is incorporated into the lecture
theatre walls to contribute to the acoustic environment
within each of them.”
The complex geometries of the lecture theatre ceilings,
each with five 500mm steps following the line of the
raked floors, are formed with the Knauf MF system, lined
with Knauf Wallboard. Extra hangers and bracing were
added during construction to maintain the ceilings’
stability while services were installed, before boarding
commenced.
Paul Sweeney says to overcome logistical problems, Knauf
Drywall and distributor Sheffield Insulations,
Newcastle, arranged more frequent deliveries of smaller
loads than usual. “This minimised storage on site, as
materials were used as soon as they arrived. Overall,
this was a complex project which benefited from all
members of the supply chain working together to deliver
a high quality building.”
The project has been shortlisted for the Federation of
Plastering and Drylining Contractors Plaisterers Trophy
in February 2008.
Plaslines Ltd was established in July 2006, following a
management buyout. The company now employs 50 tradesmen
and specialises in drywall construction and finishing,
suspended ceilings, structural framing systems,
screeding and plastering.
Knauf Drywall manufactures a full range of plasters,
plasterboards, insulating laminates, drywall
accessories, metal sections and steel building systems,
for domestic and commercial applications. Recently Knauf
Drywall introduced the UK industry’s first carbon
neutral plasterboard, Knauf Futurepanel. Knauf Drywall
also actively promotes recycling from building sites and
has a zero waste policy in its energy efficient
factories at Sittingbourne in Kent and Immingham on
Humberside.
Email:
UnaAustin@ClockworkMarketing.co.uk
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
News Categories : Plasterboards Plasters Drylining
Aquapanel Tile Backer
Partitions
Wall Linings
Shaft Protection
Jointing Products and Tapes
Metal Accessories and Components
Plasterboard Cove
Thermal Insulation
Fire Protection
|
Plasterboards
Plasters Drylining
