Acoustic Design for a Smart, Sustainable School

Renovation leads in sustainable school design

Located in Prague, COPaG High School was transformed into a carbon-positive, energy-efficient facility through a research-led collaboration. Designed with Czech certification SBToolCZ and supported by academic and industry partners, the school integrates advanced building systems, decontamination, and indoor comfort solutions. Rockfon acoustic products were chosen to help create calm, speech-friendly spaces across all teaching and communal areas.

Sustainable, intelligent, and acoustically Sound

Originally built in the 1970s and expanded in the 1990s, COPaG High School no longer met modern teaching needs. The layout was outdated, the building energy inefficient, and asbestos contamination posed a health risk. In 2019, Prague City Council launched a complete revitalisation of the site.

The goal was to create a carbon-positive, intelligent building that would serve as a pilot for future sustainable school projects. The design followed SBToolCZ certification and was delivered through a collaboration involving ECOTEN, Subterra, and the Czech Technical University.

The renovation introduced new building systems and sustainable materials. A photovoltaic plant with 300 kilowatt hours of battery capacity made the school energy self-sufficient. Other features included geothermal wells, heat pumps, LED lighting, CO₂ sensors, and greywater reuse.

Ventilation is managed by an advanced information system linked to classroom programming. A green roof supports rainwater collection, while smart control of all systems helps reduce operating costs and energy waste across the school’s full schedule.

Acoustic conditions were a key part of the design brief. The acoustic model, developed by EKOLA Group, aimed to exceed Czech regulatory requirements and ensure long-term speech intelligibility, even in spaces with extensive integrated technology.

To achieve this, Rockfon acoustic solutions were installed throughout. Classrooms feature Rockfon Sonar and Rockfon Sonar Bass ceiling tiles, along with Rockfon VertiQ wall panels. These control reverberation and contribute to better focus and communication.

In the canteen, Rockfon Eclipse circular islands were used in an irregular, layered layout to expand acoustic coverage. “A regular grid was originally planned... but the forest effect looks even better than the original,” noted Jiří Tencar, Ph.D., project designer.

Elsewhere, Rockfon Sonar tiles were used in corridors and Rockfon Samson ceilings installed in the gym, meeting impact resistance requirements. Together, these solutions helped the school meet the standards for SBToolCZ Gold certification.