Centre for Alternative Technology – Acoustic Retrofit – IndiNature

Case Study: Sound dampening for educational facility

Location

Machynlleth, Wales

Project Summary

This beautiful contemporary educational campus had unfortunately experienced highly uncomfortable levels of noise in it's canteen area, making it almost impossible to have a conversation during meal times without shouting across tables. This meant students rushed through meals and left the space as fast as possible, limiting social interaction. With one wall of glass and the facing wall of hard plaster, noise bounced and amplified in the space.

The solution was to install IndiTherm hemp insulation as an exposed wall of baffles – either within timber framing or behind timber battens. A surface of translucent linen completed the natural fibre aesthetic and limited any fibre migration, resulting in a comfortably quite space to socialise in during meals. Thank you to resident Master Carpenter and tutor Carwyn Jones at CAT.