West Thames College

  • RBA ClientMackenzie Wheeler / West Thames College
  • ContractorOsborne
  • ArchitectMackenzie Wheeler
  • Project Value:£52 million
  • Start DateJune 2008
  • Completion Date: November 2010

West Thames College serves over 6500 students from a diverse cultural background.  The project was a phased redevelopment to provide new teaching and resource facilities to replace the outdated 1960’s buildings.  This included traditional teaching spaces and some areas with particular acoustic challenges such as a theatre, recording studios and motor vehicle workshops. 

Mackenzie Wheeler Architects appointed RBA Acoustics to consult on all acoustic input for the project.  The brief covered all aspects of the acoustic design of the redevelopment, including the control of road traffic and, particularly, aircraft noise break-in to the building due to the proximity to Heathrow.  A series of noise surveys were undertaken over an extended period to establish an accurate picture of the noise climate.  This enabled us to provide detailed advice on the external fabric and to give confidence to the client that appropriate acoustic conditions would be provided. 

We worked very closely with Mackenzie Wheeler on the acoustic design of the internal sound insulation and internal finishes ensuring an excellent acoustic environment was achieved for both staff and students alike.  Detailed acoustic modelling was undertaken for critical acoustic environments such as the theatre in order to assess the impact of even minor changes in the architectural design.