Burnside High School’s new Pukehinau 3600 m2 two storey teaching block features 25 specialist learning spaces predominately for science and technology. Designed by BCN Architects an essential requirement was to achieve compliance with the Ministry of Education’s Design Quality Learning Spaces (DQLS) acoustic standards. To do this they specified a perforated wood ceiling and an imported high mass mineral fibre ceiling tile. However, the project came in over budget, so the MoE delivery manager was eager to explore cost savings.
Smart Substitutions Without Compromise
Rising to the challenge Asona put forward a cost saving proposal to change the perforated wood to a locally manufactured perforated Polyfon panel and the high mass mineral fibre tile to Triton Duo ceiling system. The change saved the project over 6 figures and still meet the original design aesthetic and acoustic performance spec.
After a detailed review, the Ministry of Education approved the substitution to a full Asona system spec products confident the revised solution would meet project goals without compromise.
Tailored Solutions That Deliver
Asona replicated the original perforated wood panel pattern and applied this to their Polyfon material which they perforated at their Auckland factory and laminated to a Triton 50HD acoustic tile to deliver NRC 0.95 and CAC 35 acoustic performance. The result was a contemporary perforated acoustic ceiling that aligned with the architect’s vision, was lighter weight and at a significantly reduced cost.
Asona also worked with the ceiling contractor on the seismic design and supply of Rondo Donn DX ceiling suspension system to help reduce costs further.
Meeting Standards, Exceeding Expectations
With the installation complete, the results speak for themselves: a modern technical perforated aesthetic, better speech intelligibility, better reverberation control, and a refined, consistent finish throughout. While the shift away from the originally specified products required careful planning, the end result delivered on all fronts, performance, appearance, and budget.
Architect: BCN Architects Builder: Naylor Love Acoustic Consultant: Powell Fenwick Photography: Lightforge
Products: Asona Polyfon, Triton 50HD, Triton Duo 50, Rondo Donn DX ceiling grid.
