From a young age, kids quickly become familiar with the phrase “use your inside voice”. However, education professionals occasionally need a little extra help when it comes to controlling noise in one of the loudest spaces in an elementary school — the cafeteria. Poor acoustics from hard surfaces and tall ceilings, as well as excess noise from active, little learners can negatively affect the sound quality and understanding of speech in the classroom, library, and in the cafeteria.
The Challenge
Such was the case at Rowayton Elementary School located in Norwalk, CT. The school tapped Antinozzi Associates to transform its outdated multipurpose room (formerly a gym and cafeteria) into a full-time cafeteria. With a focus on noise control, the design team led by project lead and interior designer, Lauren Williams, sought to find a solution that would not only help with noise, but one that could also be used as a key design element.
Contributing to the space (see the water and the whale) is Kirei‘s EchoPanel, is a decorative, acoustically-absorbent panel with a felt-like finish, made from 100% PET plastic containing up to 60% post-consumer content. Available in a variety of colors and prints, EchoPanel can be installed on walls, ceilings, in office furniture systems, and decorative tiles. It is also tackable for a multipurpose solution in office spaces or educational facilities.
The Solution
The design team incorporated custom-cut acoustic panels to improve sound control within the cafeteria. “The overall theme was to highlight the location of Rowayton as being part of the Connecticut shoreline, making the space nautical and fun for elementary students,” explained Williams. “While working closely with the PTA and school principals, we came up with the idea of the ocean breaking with the whale rising above, as well as the fish below,” added Williams.
The portholes shown throughout the space are interchangeable photographs taken by a local photographer and parent at the school. The large acoustical clouds on the ceiling are used to mimic the sky. Kirei specifically crafted the water and the whale from EchoPanel. The whale itself consists of seven individual pieces that were installed to appear as one on the upper half of the back wall. The whale is approximately 40 feet in length and 11 feet tall. Additionally, several custom-cut pieces mimic ocean waves to complement the aquatic theme.
The Results
Ultimately, the whale improves the cafeteria’s acoustics and complements the overall design, which highlights the location of the school on the shore. “It was great to use an acoustical product within our price point for a design that large,” said Williams.
