A Palmview State Secondary College Case Study Featuring Bradford Insulation Solutions
Located on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the Stage 2 expansion of Palmview State Secondary College demonstrates how considered acoustic design and high-performance building materials can support a growing school community.
Delivered by FKG Group with COBiE Group and Basic Interiors, the project involved alterations to five existing blocks and the construction of three new facilities: a general learning building, a staff and technology building, and a multi-level performing arts centre.
While the learning and staff buildings were designed to integrate with the established campus, the performing arts centre called for a bolder architectural response. Positioned at the corner of the site, it acts as a beacon for the school and wider community, with a large auditorium that can be divided into smaller spaces for learning, performances and community use.
Across the development, acoustic comfort was a key consideration. The project team needed to reduce noise transfer between spaces, control reverberation and address the acoustic demands of the expansive performing arts centre.
Acoustic Performance from the Roof Down
Managing sound within the performing arts centre required a layered approach across the building envelope.
The design needed to control noise generated by performances and limit sound transfer between adjoining areas. It also had to address external sources of noise, including the sound of heavy rain hitting the centre’s expansive roof.
Bradford insulation solutions played an important role in this acoustic strategy. Bradford Soundscreen™ Batts, Bradford Gold® Ceiling Insulation Batts and Bradford Acoustigard™ Partition Rolls were incorporated into wall and ceiling systems to help control reverberation and reduce noise transfer.
“We had to manage not only the internal noise from projecting performances but also the external factors, like the sound of heavy rain hitting the expansive roof above. This required significant acoustic mitigation in the ceiling and carefully sealing the walls to stop noise transfer, all while ensuring the building could still breathe.”
Melika Maunder, Architect, COBiE Group
Palmview Secondary College Campus Buildings
Tailored Insulation for Different Spaces
The scale and varied uses of the campus called for acoustic solutions tailored to the function of each environment.
Within the performing arts centre, the project team worked closely with an acoustic consultant to develop layered roof, wall and ceiling constructions. Bradford insulation was used within these systems to help manage sound generated inside the building, reduce transfer between spaces and mitigate rain noise through the roof.
Bradford Soundscreen Batts and Acoustigard Partition Rolls supported the acoustic performance of wall systems, while Bradford Gold Ceiling Insulation Batts formed part of the treatment above the occupied spaces.
In the multi-purpose halls, these insulation products were complemented by specialised ceiling constructions. Gyprock Fyrchek™ was installed beneath the roof structure and finished with an additional layer of perforated plasterboard, helping achieve the required acoustic separation between adjoining halls while fine-tuning reverberation within the large internal volumes.
Together, these elements created an integrated acoustic system suited to the complex demands of learning, performance and community spaces.
Supporting Comfortable Learning Environments
Acoustic design was also carefully considered throughout the school’s general learning areas.
Busy classrooms and collaborative spaces can generate significant background noise. Without adequate absorption, sound can reflect from hard surfaces and contribute to excessive reverberation, affecting speech clarity and acoustic comfort.
Bradford insulation formed part of a broader sound-management strategy that included high-performance wall and ceiling systems. By addressing acoustic performance within the building cavities as well as across the visible internal surfaces, the project team created a more complete response to room-to-room sound transfer and internal noise.
This coordinated approach supports spaces where students can concentrate, teachers can communicate clearly and different activities can take place across the campus with less disruption.
Integrated Systems Support Confident Delivery
Bradford solutions were specified as part of a comprehensive suite of CSR products used across Palmview State Secondary College.
The CSR Red Book provided the architects and contractors with a single technical reference for tested wall and ceiling systems with established fire and acoustic performance. It supported the project team in addressing critical details, including walls, junctions, ceilings and acoustic flanking paths.
“The Red Book covers every aspect of our work, from the walls and junctions to the ceilings and acoustic flanking paths. It ensures we know exactly how to install the systems correctly.”
Vera Ren, Project Engineer, Basic Interiors
Access to a coordinated range of insulation, plasterboard, ceiling and cladding solutions also helped streamline specification and installation. CSR’s technical representatives provided ongoing advice throughout the project, supporting the team as it worked within demanding construction timeframes.
A High-Performing Environment for a Growing Community
The completed Stage 2 development provides Palmview State Secondary College with comfortable, resilient and adaptable spaces designed for learning, collaboration and performance.
Bradford Soundscreen Batts, Gold Ceiling Insulation Batts and Acoustigard Partition Rolls contributed to a layered acoustic strategy across the walls, ceilings and roof. These solutions helped the project team control reverberation, reduce sound transfer and manage rain noise within the large-volume performing arts centre.
Combined with complementary CSR wall and ceiling systems, Bradford insulation helped create a high-performing educational environment that responds to the varied needs of students, staff, performers and the wider community.
Bradford Products Used
- Bradford Acoustigard™ Partition Rolls
- Bradford Gold® Ceiling Insulation Batts
- Bradford Soundscreen™ Batts