AIS Awards win puts acoustic ceiling in the spotlight

Success at the AIS Contractors Awards has seen Ecophon, part of international materials company Saint-Gobain, together with Kenmor Ceilings and Partitions Ltd, recognised for its role in the acoustic ceiling design and installation at Durham County Council’s £5million Seaham Contact Centre.

Kenmor Ceilings and Partitions took home the silver award in the ceiling category for projects up to £500k having worked closely with Ecophon to ensure the acoustic challenges presented by the complex’s non conforming rooms were overcome.

Opened in September 2011, the contact centre houses a library, registry office, housing and benefit advice sections and call centre.  Used by the council and other community groups, the contact centre was designed to meet the highest environmental standards and achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.

David Adams, area sales manager for Ecophon, said: “The unusual design created some acoustic problems but the installation of our acoustic rafts ensured the working environment is much more comfortable. The rafts also allow full accessibility to overhead surfaces while also allowing air to flow freely throughout the building.”

Ecophon’s technical and design team were able to advise on how to achieve the correct “Room Acoustic Comfort” to support all the activities and room functions to the building and their Focus E and Solo acoustic ceiling rafts were installed to help create a more comfortable environment for those working in the building.

Trevor Kendra, principal at Kenmor Ceilings and Partitions, said: “We’re delighted to have won this award as it was a complex installation that required integration with mechanical engineering requirements, while sticking to a tight time schedule. Ecophon’s support was invaluable and helped to ensure the ceiling solution met a range of different criteria, not just limited to its acoustic properties.”

The AIS Contractors Awards are presented annually to promote and encourage high levels of craftsmanship in seven categories - Interior Fit-Outs, Ceilings, Partitioning, Drywall Construction, Specialist Joinery, Operable Walls and Judges Award. All contracts entered are visited by two AIS award judge and the winners are announced at the AIS President's Lunch.

-ENDS-

For more information please contact Rachel Meagher or Bethan Simkins at Target PR on 01242 633100, ecophon@targetgroup.co.uk

Note to Editors

Saint-Gobain, the world leader in the habitat and construction markets, designs, manufactures and distributes building materials, providing innovative solutions to the challenges of growth, energy efficiency and environmental protection. With 2010 sales of €40.1 billion, Saint-Gobain operates in 64 countries and has nearly 190,000 employees.

In the UKand Ireland, some of the best known and respected companies in the construction industry are part of Saint-Gobain. Alongside Ecophon, these include British Gypsum, Isover, Solaglas, Weber, Saint-Gobain Glass, Saint-Gobain PAM, Pasquill, and Saint-Gobain Solar. Together they offer a range of high performance energy-saving products and solutions to help create a more sustainable built environment.

For more information on Saint-Gobain visit www.saint-gobain.co.uk.

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