24 August
2004
SUNKEN SHIPS
AND ‘FLOATING’ FLOORS – a construction adventure both
medieval and modern
 It’s
not often one can boast of taking longer than usual to complete a contract.
But it took IAC of Winchester six months longer than anticipated to install
four Panel Mount Floating Floor Systems at the Riverfront Arts Centre
in Newport South Wales. The reason? The uncovering of a medieval maritime
gem.
Building plans were
halted when the well-preserved remains of the 30-metre-long, medieval
oak ship were unearthed during foundation excavation works. The remains
of the ship, which dates back to 1465, were remarkably intact having been
preserved deep in the mud on the Riverfront site on the banks of the River
Usk. Unique in northern Europe and already dubbed ‘The Welsh Mary
Rose’, the Newport Ship has been heralded as a hugely important
archaeological discovery.
A £3.5m scheme
has financed its preservation and the Ship will be on public display within
the Arts Centre itself. Architectural plans were modified to accommodate
a purpose-built public gallery in a specially-constructed 280 metre-square,
4 metre-deep basement. Access to the viewing gallery will be via lift
or staircase where visitors will be able to see the ship at different
levels.
This attraction further
adds to the appeal of what was already destined to be an architecturally-exciting
building. With performance spaces being the key element of the complex,
every attention was given during the design phase to ensure excellent
sound quality within them. Acoustic consultants SRL, worked with IAC to
define the sound attenuation requirements of four key parts of the building:
this took place during the final design stage of the project.
Working alongside
main contractor, Willmott Dixon Turner, in conjunction with Austin Smith
Lord, architects and appointed acoustic consultants SRL, IAC designed
and installed five Panel Mount Floating Floor Systems in the complex.
Two work to protect both the recording studio and control room from environmental
noise travelling through building structures, while three additional Systems
reduce noise from a mechanical plant and chiller plant rooms located above
both the main auditorium.
Gary Dawson is Business
Manager Building Services at IAC: “The lightweight structure of
the Riverfront building, in common with most of today’s buildings,
would be unable to tolerate traditional heavy concrete and brick barriers
as noise management solutions. A Floating Floor, though, gives the equivalent
Sound Reduction Index (SRI) of somewhere in excess of 5m thickness of
concrete. For noise control that doesn’t strain the fabric of the
building, floating floors are the answer.”
IAC, as a world-leading
provider of noise and acoustic control solutions, has fitted many floating
floors in the UK in applications varying from gyms and bowling alleys,
to cinemas and shooting ranges. Noise management and control is an important
factor in the design of public-use buildings.
The five Floating
Floor systems installed in the Newport Arts Centre were IAC’s standard
Panel Mount Systems. These incorporated neoprene isolators that provided
an acoustic break and a fixed air gap between the ‘floating’
concrete floor slab and the structural building slab. Each system was
adapted to suit the individual application and location within the building.
IAC project managed the entire installation.
Richard Jones is Senior
Building Manager with E. Turner & Sons: “IAC did a very good
job for us at the Riverfront. It was their attention to detail that made
all the difference and ensured the success of the contract for all parties.”
E Turner & Sons
is part of the Willmott Dixon Group, one of the UK’s leading privately
owned construction companies.
More information on
IAC’s floating floors can be found at www.iacl.co.uk or call Gary Dawson on 01962 873000. For a full colour brochure on Floating
Floors call 01962 873050.
ENDS
For further press
information, please contact: Sally Davis in the IAC Press Office on tel/fax:
+ 44 (0)23 9266 1600 sally@theprdepartment.co.uk
IAC Limited
IAC House
Moorside Road
Winchester SO23 7US
United Kingdom
Main switchboard: Tel: + 44 (0)1962 873000
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