Challenges

The ceiling systems for a new school for a new community in Plymouth had to deliver both form and function as the two-form entry school with 420 pupils also had to be able to use by other community groups out of hours. In addition, the main part of a total of 1,650m2 ceiling systems had to be installed on ceilings that, unusually, sloped to degrees of 35® to mimic the sloping roof.

Solutions

Some 1,200m2 of Zentia’s Oplia hA Tegular24 600mm x 600mm tiles, which were the first mineral tile in the world to win Cradle to Cradle status, feature in the classrooms, offices, stores and communal areas at the state-of-the-art school. The £5.8 million primary school also features Zentia’s 100% humidity resistant Hydrabloc 600mm x 600mm tiles with Prelude 24 non-corrosive grid in the kitchen, showers, toilets and changing areas.

For form, the Oplia hA tile features a smooth, low-gloss monolithic visual with best-in-class fully painted edges for additional aesthetics as well as durability. The tile also features high light reflectance (up to 86%) to reduce reliance on artificial light and Class A acoustic performance to sound absorption 0.95αw.

For function, as well as its sustainability performance, Oplia hA also provides optimum indoor air quality (due to ultra-low A+ VOC emissions) and is manufactured from up to 64% recycled content and fully recyclable. Hydrabloc also features Class A acoustic performance to sound absorption 0.95αw and light reflectance of 82%.

Andy West, contracts manager for specialist sub-contractor Vizion Interiors, said: “The Zentia products were already specified but we would have put them forward regardless because they are superior products which are more readily available, and we have a fantastic working relationship with the area sales manager.

“They had to perform both aesthetically and acoustically and we also promoted the sustainability factor as well as the long-term potential recycling benefits. They look fantastic. The grid coped with the design magnificently and the client and local authority have all commented very positively.”

Prelude 24 CR is no longer available for order and has now been replaced by Gridline 24 Corrosive Resistant.