Since welcoming its first students in 1929 on a modest 400-acre farm, Plumpton College has expanded into one of the UK’s leading centres for land-based education, now managing more than 2,500 acres of farmland. Students and faculty have plenty to keep them busy: a dairy herd of 260 cows, 1,000 sheep, 130 sows, 65 horses, and a wide variety of other animals housed within the college’s dedicated Veterinary Studies Centre. With even a commercial winery on site, these facilities provide students with exceptional, hands-on learning opportunities in first-class facilities.
CHALLENGE
The college has recently built a brand-new Veterinary Studies Centre, equipped with modern teaching facilities and dedicated student classrooms. Architects MJB Architecture were tasked with identifying a ceiling solution that would deliver excellent acoustic performance, durability, and visual appeal – ensuring a comfortable environment in which both students and staff can thrive.
An added challenge came in the form of the building’s sloped ceilings. This required specialist technical guidance to select a system that could adapt to the angled design while maintaining full coverage, avoiding gaps, and performing effectively even on a gradient.
SOLUTION
To meet the project’s acoustic, aesthetic, and technical requirements, the architects contacted Zentia to find a solution. White Prestige tiles with a Tegular 24 edge were chosen and installed throughout all classrooms to deliver high acoustic performance and a refined visual finish. The Prestige tile a finely textured ceiling tile that provides good sound absorption and sound attenuation for perfectly balanced acoustically performance.
In circulation areas, Aruba tiles with the Tegular 24 edge were chosen for their attractive finish and enhanced acoustical performance. The Aruba family combines αw 0.6 sound absorption with a sound attenuation level of 34dB, a combination which helps control background noise level while still allowing sound to travel.
Zentia provided technical guidance, recommending the Tegular 24 edge detail for both tiles instead of a flat board edge. Tegular 24 edges are cut at a 105-degree open angle to slightly drop the ceiling tile below the ceiling grid once installed. The semi-bevelled edge also adds visual style to the ceiling design.
Because the building incorporated both flat and sloping ceilings, the installation required the use of suspension angles in place of standard wires to ensure stability and smooth coverage across the varying gradients. Zentia’s Richard Longhurst conducted on-site visits to provide technical support and resolve any challenges quickly and effectively.
The ceilings were installed by Parker Ceilings, a member of Zentia’s Pinnacle Partner Programme, making the project eligible for Zentia’s off-cut recycling initiative, supporting waste reduction and sustainable construction practices. The works were delivered on schedule, starting in May 2025 and completing in July 2025.
The new Veterinary Studies Centre at Plumpton College now benefits from a high-performance ceiling solution that enhanced acoustics, durability, and overall comfort for students and staff alike. With tailored technical guidance and expert installation, the project achieved a sleek, reliable finish that supports the college’s commitment to delivering exceptional learning environments.
If you are planning a project that demands intelligent acoustic design and dependable ceiling solutions, contact Zentia today to discover how our expertise can support your build from concept to completion.