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 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.”