Project Overview
This new public library in Birmingham spans 1,100 ㎡, including reading halls, media resource zones and group discussion rooms. Large glass curtain walls and terrazzo floors caused sound reflection. Footsteps, page turning and group talks easily spread across the open hall, disturbing quiet reading zones. The client wanted robust, low-maintenance acoustic finishes with natural texture.
Solution Configuration
Wood wool cement acoustic panels were installed on the high side walls of the main reading hall. Discussion rooms combined the same panels with sealed acoustic doors. The fine light grey surface was selected to match the minimalist public interior style. Materials meet UK fire classification requirements.
Project Result
The reverberation time of the main reading hall dropped from 2.0s to 0.8s. Noise spillover from discussion zones is effectively contained. The hard-wearing wood wool cement acoustic panels resist scratches and abrasion from heavy public use, reducing later maintenance workload.
