Background
We were appointed by Peldon Rose to deliver Stage 4 acoustic design for the refurbishment of a former office building into a new OneSchool Global campus in Coventry.
The Challenge
The building sits in a fairly demanding acoustic setting, with a railway siding, distribution centre and busy road nearby and much of the existing structure and façade was being retained. The key question early on was simple: “how much of what’s already there could realistically be made to work for a school environment without over-engineering it?”
Our Approach
We started with site noise surveys and internal testing to understand what the building was actually doing acoustically, rather than relying on worst-case assumptions. That data made a big difference, and it confirmed the existing façade performed better than expected and could be retained to meet BB93 indoor ambient noise targets, avoiding unnecessary upgrades.
From there, the focus shifted to detail. Classrooms, exam rooms and collaboration spaces introduced a mix of glazed partitions and operable walls, so controlling speech privacy and flanking paths became critical. We refined junction details, sealed key penetrations and targeted weak points around services and curtain walling rather than proposing excessive upgrades.
Inside the teaching and event spaces, we designed room acoustics to meet BB93 reverberation requirements using absorptive ceiling rafts, with additional wall treatment where spaces needed more control.
The Outcome
The result is a retained structure that now performs as a compliant, practical and comfortable learning environment and with clear speech, appropriate privacy, and inclusive access considerations built in from the outset.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates our experience in delivering robust acoustic design for the conversion of existing commercial buildings into education facilities. Through early measurement, testing and careful technical detailing, the strategy provides confidence that required acoustic performance can be achieved on site and validated in use.
Project Progress
Works are now complete and the school is occupied, with the official opening held on 13 January. Read more on OneSchool Global’s website.
Photo credit:- OneSchool Global
