Background
Anderson Acoustics was commissioned by Baxall Construction to provide acoustic design advice for the permanent and temporary buildings for Francis Barber Pupil Referral Unit School. The project comprises full redevelopment of the existing site in Tooting, London (London Borough of Wandsworth).
The Challenge
The School Specific Brief was for “a calming environment with low levels of distraction, supportive of varying needs, particularly those on the autistic spectrum and pupils with ADHD, SEMH and Trauma”.
Children with Autism, SEMH needs, and Trauma can experience noise hypersensitivity and require an enhanced acoustic environment to support listening and ensure occupancy noise levels do not buildup excessively (which can cause anxiety, trigger misophonia and, in the case of children with Autism, repetitive behaviours).
Children with Autism and ADHD do not tend to have a significant listening disadvantage in quiet environments but are less able to understand speech in noisy environments (i.e. in an active classroom) and can benefit from personal listening devices to reduce the listening disadvantage (in cases where tactile sensitivities are not an issue).
Studies have shown that reducing noise and echo in classrooms tripled attention span, improved response time by 60% and improved behavioural temperament for children with Autism. A varied level of acoustic control is often recommended so that students with Autism can graduate from their reliance on acoustical control measures, through flexible design elements such as openable windows.
Our involvement
- Planning Noise Assessment
We undertook a noise impact assessment in support of the planning application for both the new and temporary building. Noise related impacts comprise new fixed rooftop plant, plus a relocated Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).
Our assessments demonstrated that plant noise levels are considered to result in a ‘Low’ Impact in line with BS 4142 guidance (and considering supplementary BS8233 guidance) and as such no further mitigation measures were recommended.
For the permanent site, we also concluded that the relocated MUGA is expected to have a low noise impact at the nearest residential receptors when compared to the existing operation of MUGA and play areas.
- Acoustic Design Strategy
Our design aimed to meet the School Specific Brief objectives for a calming environment with low levels of distraction, supportive of varying needs, particularly those on autistic spectrum and pupils with ADH, SEMH and Trauma.
We identified acoustic design related risks and opportunities based on known site or project design constraints, set out the agreed acoustic performance standards for the scheme, and conveyed the acoustic design strategy to achieve the Employer’s Requirements (DfE Output Specification November 2021 including School Specific Brief) and other relevant Requirements.
We reviewed and developed the proposals to show that the technical design can comply with the target acoustic performance standards, resulting in good acoustic conditions suitable for users’ needs.
The design for sound absorption was developed with solutions for material robustness and security. The temporary building was tested to demonstrate good acoustic conditions for noise, internal sound insulation and reverberation time, which are not always provided in practice on temporary sites.
Project Progress
The temporary building was delivered earlier this year and we were honoured to have been invited to support the team this month on site to help deliver their SEED (gardening) programme. Together, we delivered and built new planters to help enhance the outdoor learning environment.
Planning permission was granted in March 2024 and we continue to work with Baxall Construction to assist with queries during the Construction Stage.
