ACOUSTICAL FLOWER POWER

Børnekulturhus Ama’r is the first children’s cultural centre in Amager, Denmark.  This is an interesting building which encourages children’s play and discovery by offering them daily workshops and events. The architects found solutions for the creative and technical challenges which the building brief required by designing a myriad of flexible and connected rooms of varying size.

The result is a complex of interesting shapes and spaces where nothing is quite what it seems.  For example, one room adjacent to a normal classroom has a flower meadow printed on its Troldtekt acoustic panel ceiling. These wood wool panels have been installed throughout the rooms not only to enhance their interconnection but also to provide essential dampening of sounds, echoes and bustling children’s activity.

Made from 100% natural wood fibres, the benefits of Troldtekt panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability. Available in various sizes and in three grades from ultrafine to coarse, they can be left unpainted or can be painted in virtually any RAL colour. Their sustainability was recently recognised with certification at Silver level within the Cradle to Cradle concept.

Architecturally, the children’s culture centre has a unique identity. Its complicated structural shape is reflected in the sloping ceilings, which also add good acoustics in all the rooms. “In designing the centre’s many different rooms, it was important to ensure that they are mutually connected visually and  linked by their dynamic ceilings and wall surfaces,” said Anders Brink at Dorte Mandrup Architects.

Consequently, the materials used are durable and sustainable. For example, the window bays are made of sustainable, certified wood while Troldtekt panels are made from environmentally friendly cement and wood.

For samples, case studies and technical information tel 0844 8114877 or visit www.troldtekt.co.uk