Innovative Rockfon acoustic wall panels applied in eleven meter high engineering hall DaCapo College Sittard

Renovation of existing school building expanded with new technology hall for vmbo students to create optimal teaching environment

DaCapo College in Sittard, a secondary school for practical education and vmbo, has undergone a major renovation. The former HEAO building of 7000 m2, which has been completely transformed for DaCapo College, has been given a new two-story extension of 8000 m2. In the middle of the new section is an eleven-meter-high atrium that is set up as a technology hall and workshop for the students. The walls and ceiling of this hall are glass and concrete. Disturbing reflections of high sound levels and noise levels are optimally regulated by Rockfon (part of ROCKWOOL Group) acoustic stone wool wall and ceiling systems, creating a functional and safe learning environment for students and teachers. Stone wool insulation absorbs sound and reduces sound vibrations. In addition, stone wool is highly fire retardant and complies with Fire Class 1A. Interior design firm Interne Zaken from Maastricht is responsible for the interior design of the renovation and the new addition to the school; the structural renovation and expansion was designed by architectural firm Povse & Timmermans from Sittard. The finishing professionals from Gepla of Elsloo provided the finishing and finishing of the interior, where they were helped by the DaCapo College Engineering students to install Rockfon acoustic systems against the walls of the engineering hall.

The new technology wing consists of two floors of practical and theory classrooms. Located in the center of the wing is the eleven-meter-high atrium, which will be set up as a practice area for vmbo students. This atrium has bare, hard walls and a ceiling of glass and concrete. To allow daylight into the hall, large sections of the walls are glazed. The new design of DaCapo College emphasizes openness and transparency, with a high glass facade where students are seen. The building is open to students, teachers and staff of the school. The interior reflects space for interaction, in a unique learning environment where students feel at ease and enjoy working together. For an educational space like the technology hall, with largely paved surfaces, it is important that the acoustics are at an acceptable noise level. "Together with Rockfon (part of ROCKWOOL Group), we came up with a special and most economical solution for this, with Oualid Rouchdi, area sales manager at Rockfon, suggesting that we turn it into an educational project by involving the school's students," says Peter Littmann, interior designer at Internal Affairs in Maastricht. Initially, only Rockfon contour boards (Rockfon Contour®) were installed in this hall to regulate acoustics. "These approximately 60 vertically suspended baffles, or acoustic panels, proved insufficient to sufficiently absorb reverberation of sound and from high noise levels," Littmann says. "As an architect, the well-being of the users is also my responsibility. Annoying reverberation in a classroom does not contribute to optimal concentration. It is disruptive to the ultimate learning and teaching process but also to the well-being of the student and teacher."

Rockfon made calculations about the reverberation time in this particular technology room. "In order to still make the room practical, Rockfon Blanka Activity wall panels were then applied against the walls of the atrium. This allows the right acoustic values to be achieved in this space," says Norbert Dieteren, commercial director of Gepla. Gepla carried out all the walls and ceilings of the renovation and new construction of DaCapo College. The solution is the Rockfon Blanka Activity acoustic system in a B-side which is ideal for bonding. "Thanks to the B-side, the tiles could be glued to the wall in a tight pattern and achieve the acoustic values the architect wanted," says Dieteren. The panels with a B-side, are 40 mm thick, are glued directly to the structural ceiling or existing ceiling or wall construction and have the highest sound absorption value of αw = 1.00. The edge trim is designed so that the panels fit nicely when mounted against each other. The four sides of the panel are already painted for an elegant appearance, as is evident in the engineering hall, where the panels are installed as a loose wall surface so that the sides remain visible. This practical, smart and innovative solution with this Rockfon system keeps the aesthetic appearance of this room intact as much as possible, achieving the desired acoustic values. The combination of both technical and aesthetic flexibility with maximum performance in both areas, the B-side of the tile, the use of adhesive and the method of installation make Rockfon Blanka Activity in a B-side a unique product to use in these situations.

Oualid Rouchdi says Rockfon took acoustic measurements in the engineering college. "The acoustic facilities were inadequate. Unfortunately, the remaining budget was not sufficient for additional acoustic modifications." Rouchdi suggested working with the people at Gepla to contribute to the school's educational program by taking students through the process of installing the stone wool panels. "A great opportunity for these students to get in touch with construction practice," said Rouchdi. Rob Palm is department leader of Technology at DaCapo College. He says that within two days the walls were covered with the Rockfon panels. "There is of course nothing better than involving installation engineering students in the execution of such a project from the front," says Palm. "It clicked tremendously well between the students and technicians from Rockfon and the fitter from Gepla, who were there to install the boards properly." Gepla provided an assembler as part of CSR. Gepla also wants to get young people excited about the finishing trade. Palm finds it clever that Rockfon was able to make it educational. "The students love working on this, even students who are sometimes difficult to motivate. The stop bars were laser mounted to the walls, against which the stone wool panels were then placed. The students smeared the panels with glue and then used the aerial platform to place them against the wall. "The students were doing this work for the first time," Palm said. "I was amazed at how safely and securely they mounted those snow-white panels. The students proved to be quite adept at maneuvering an aerial platform with a joystick, a skill they no doubt acquire from computer gaming," Palm surmises. "The engineering hall needs this 11-foot height to facilitate engineering education as best as possible," Palm said. Students need height to be able to build scaffolding to safely construct tall technical installations. Technical companies such as Sabic and DSM are right around the corner. These companies partner with educational institutions to train young technical people. "Evening classes are also held in this building. Companies come by to give their presentations on engineering, then it is very cool that you have an engineering classroom that is so high that engineering installations can fit in it," Palm says.

The project was completed before the corona crisis. The updated B-edge finish of Rockfon Blanka Activity is available starting in September. The lightly textured version of Rockfon® Sonar® Activity is already available.

www.rockfon.nl/dacapo-college