Colour and Acoustics Shape a Mixed-Use Landmark

Designing the spaces for comfort and creativity

Two of the scheme’s buildings feature glazed facades with colourful vertical fins in warm hues of yellow, orange, and red, facing the riverside and adding a lively contemporary feel. The third building, by contrast, displays an organic, curved shell clad in shimmering zinc tiles, drawing comparisons to the Bullring in Birmingham and the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain.

Inside the twin buildings, open-plan office floors demanded superior acoustic performance. Research shows improved acoustics reduce stress by 27 percent and boost focus by 48 percent. Rockfon acoustic solutions ensure excellent sound absorption while high light reflectance optimises daylight, supporting well-being and reducing energy costs.

Acoustic control was essential in the library. “I met with our client to discuss the acoustics in a large atria which sits between the children’s, and general reference libraries. We agreed to create a feature art wall using a selection of colours influenced by the council’s own corporate identity. The design works really well, delivering the visual impact and sound control we desired,” explains Darnton B3 Project Architect Martin Hurley.

Rockfon Eclipse wall panels were used for the art wall in colours like dark greys, purples, turquoise, teal, lime, and orange, all NCS-matched. The panels, with a minimalistic A-edge, can be mounted at varying distances from the wall for creative effects and are available in custom colours and shapes, making them versatile for modern interiors.

Andrew Pearce of M&P Group shares, “Co-ordinating the process of installation across three buildings within a tight, riverside, city-centre site presented particular challenges. It was vital the supply line remained on schedule, with deliveries on-time and in good order – something the Rockfon team helped ensure. In fact, the project came together well and everyone is very pleased with the completed job.”

Nevill Long Area Sales Manager, Mike Parkin, says, “This was a technically and aesthetically interesting project to be involved with. It was a pleasure to work with Rockfon to ensure the correct materials were delivered on time and in full.”

Rockfon Specification Manager Rowan Green adds, “It was really beneficial to be part of the design specification process for this landmark build from an early stage. A guiding requirement was to achieve the least visible grid, using a selection of Rockfon ranges to create aesthetically pleasing results with high levels of sound absorption.”

Throughout the scheme, Rockfon Blanka acoustic ceiling tiles were installed, including in the meeting rooms for improved speech intelligibility. Rockfon Koral was chosen exclusively for washrooms and lobbies. The Rockfon Blanka range offers Class A sound absorption, high light reflection, and easy maintenance, ensuring durability and acoustic control.

Inside the futuristic zinc-clad building, elegant circular Rockfon Eclipse islands appear to float mid-air, suspended by wires. These white islands create visual interest while improving acoustics, embodying both modern aesthetics and technical performance.