Architect: Devereux Architects Limited
Ceiling contractor: TJ Lott Plastering and Drylining Contractors
Main contractor: Bensons
Type of works: Installation of PE and dance facility.

Roehampton University in south west London has a high profile for the study of dance at both a national and international level. To support the ongoing excellence of its dance faculty, the University employed Devereux Architects Limited, one of the top 100 architectural practices in the UK, to design a new building that would house state of the art dance studios.

The requirement for this stylish new PE and dance facility was for an acoustic fully curved ceiling. Since sound management is particularly important for dance, it was essential that the tiles offered excellent acoustic properties.

Achieving good acoustics, so that both teachers’ voices and music could be evenly dispersed and heard throughout the room was essential.

The specialist nature of the building meant that each element of the construction had to be carefully selected and Armstrong acoustic ceilings provided the solutions required.

For the main studios, Devereux selected Orcal, Armstrong’s range of metal ceiling tiles. Orcal ceiling panels are perforated and have a black acoustic fleece factory-bonded to the back to enhance sound absorption. The Orcal panels proved to be robust, easy to maintain and less prone to damage when installed, all of which were important factors when choosing the ceiling solution.

The Orcal tiles are available in a plank style, which works much better with the curve of the roof than standard square tiles. The planks were installed on a concealed spring grid, and although perforated for acoustic purposes, no exposed grid is visible and it is difficult to see the perforations from eye level, thus a uniform look is achieved.

To continue the linear look of the studio into the surrounding areas, Armstrong’s Ultima SL2 mineral planks were used in the reception area. Ultima is a range of high-performance ceiling panels that combine sound absorption capabilities, sound attenuation, high light reflectance and durability with an appealing imperforate appearance.

Architect Michelle Male sums up: “The new dance space at Roehampton offers all of its users a sympathetic, practical and striking place to learn and teach.”