Building Acoustics

Community hall upgrade

Community halls are valuable meeting places, especially in the rural county of Norfolk. Such halls attract loyal and appreciative users, but sometimes the acoustics may need improvement. A recent example was the Community Hall in Lyng which lies 15 miles northwest of Norwich. This hall had problems with reverberation in the foyer – an area … Read more

New regulations now in force

Important new regulations have just come into force. Overheating has long been overlooked as a potential noise risk in residential developments. At last, new regulations should help to address the problem. The requirements are specified in Approved Document O of the Building Regulations. They state that overheating risk must be considered in the planning and … Read more

30th anniversary celebration

The Norwich Forum for the Construction Industry held a special celebration on 22nd June. Marking 30 years since the organisation was founded, the event took place at the Royal Norwich golf club. Food and drinks were served to the sounds of a steel band while members enjoyed a sunny evening, overlooking the golf course. The … Read more

Hot off the press

Hot off the press, our new company brochure is now available. This 12-page printed A4 publication provides a comprehensive guide to our services. It’s an ideal reference for architects, builders, contractors and anyone who may need our experience now or in the future. Please email us if you would like a free printed copy of … Read more

Sawbridgeworth award announced

Congratulations to Hawkins Brown and the team behind the Central Surgery, Sawbridgeworth. RIBA East has recently announced an award for this general practice building, which is based in Hertfordshire. We are pleased to have been involved in the process of change and improvement. The surgery has been expanded over a number of years, so this … Read more

Hot off the press

Hot off the press, our new company brochure has just been published. This 12-page publication provides a comprehensive guide to our services. It’s an ideal reference for architects, builders, contractors and anyone who may need our experience now or in the future. Please email us if you would like a free printed copy of the … Read more

Who are “Robust Details”?

Since 2004 Adrian James Acoustics has been carrying out official accredited tests under the Robust Details scheme. But who, or what are “Robust Details” and why is it important to understand their role in the construction industry? Robust Details is an organisation which provides an alternative to sound insulation testing between new-build residential properties.  If … Read more

Restaurants and residences

As pandemic restrictions have eased, we have noticed two significant trends. On the one hand there has been an increased demand for better acoustic treatment in restaurants, particularly new fit-outs. At the same time, we are offering more advice about acoustics in prestige residences – both new-build and refurbishments. Increasingly, new owners appreciate that acoustics … Read more

The Great Hall

We recently visited Kent College Canterbury – an independent school dating from 1885. Founded by Wesleyan Methodists with an initial intake of just five pupils, the campus has grown to cover an impressive 70-acre semi-rural site. In 2016 a second school was opened in Dubai and there are future plans for a presence in Hong … Read more

What is a PCT?

If the initials PCT spell confusion to you, we can answer the most common questions about this important regulation. What is a PCT? A Pre-Completion Test (PCT) is a requirement under Part E of the government’s Building Regulations.  Also known as a sound insulation test, the aim is to ensure reasonable standards of sound insulation … Read more

The AJA difference

Choosing the right acoustic consultant can be daunting, especially if you are unfamiliar with specialist sound testing and design services. Why not just choose the cheapest quote and hope for the best? What makes Adrian James Acoustics different? EXPERIENCE AJA was established over 25 years ago and has built up an enviable reputation. In 2003, … Read more

Ipswich Hospital

Ipswich Hospital

Ipswich Hospital is part of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust which serves a population of almost one million. Just before the pandemic, we were appointed to assist with the design of a new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC). This was part of a £35 million scheme. The architects, KLH had worked on … Read more

Leyton Green

Leyton Green Partnership

The Leyton Green Partnership is an innovative project, located in the London borough of Waltham Forest.  It was conceived as a mixed development incorporating buildings for social care, therapy, education and residential. RESPITE CENTRE We were appointed by HMY Architects to deliver acoustic design services for Phase One.  The centrepiece of this phase is a … Read more

More diplomas

We are delighted to announce that three of our staff have recently been awarded the internationally-recognised Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control from the Institute of Acoustics. George Moore, Martyn Broom and Pete Erskine have all spent the last year studying for the award. All three consultants already hold graduate degrees, so these latest diplomas … Read more

Better classroom design

During the pandemic, many parents grappled with home schooling. This also allowed us to reflect on better acoustic design for classrooms – in particular spaces well suited for pupils with special needs. SEND According to published lists, over 5% of school children are classified with special hearing and communication needs. This includes not just children … Read more

Free CPD: now available

We are pleased to announce our friends at Ecophon UK recently released an excellent new CPD resource. Created by Ecophon’s Concept Developer for Education Shane Cryer, it’s an ideal solution for architects and other professionals who need to keep up with their CPD whilst working from home. The 25-minutes online video seminar is entitled “Designing … Read more

Hospice acoustics

“We’ve received numerous comments from visitors that they are gobsmacked by how well designed the new building is.” This remark came from Steve Smith, CEO of Havens Hospices, upon completion of the Fair Havens Hospice in Southend-on-Sea. The architects behind Fair Havens were LSI – a practice renowned for its award-winning design of the Arthur … Read more

Victorian school acoustics

Fingringhoe C of E Primary School in Colchester is typical of many schools built in the Victorian era. During its 150 year history the school has undergone a number of changes to its physical fabric. More recently, environmental conditions within classrooms have also come under scrutiny. The groundbreaking Essex Study into school acoustics pointed to … Read more

Dragon Hall

Dragon Hall is one of Norwich’s finest medieval buildings, built between 1427 and 1430. It is thought to be unique in Europe as the only trading hall to have been owned by one man – entrepreneur Robert Toppes. The hall fell into decline after Toppes’ death, but it was magnificently restored in the 20th century. … Read more

Lincoln College apartments

120-121 High Street, Oxford is a neo-Gothic listed building in the heart of the city. During the nineteenth century it was home to businesses such as a saddler’s, a bootmaker’s store and “James Russell’s Pianoforte Saloon”. It was also the location of Oxford’s first ever bank, with various banks occupying the building for over 150 … Read more

Cinema City – a medieval gem

You may not expect to watch the latest Oscar-winning film in a medieval merchant’s house, but the success of Norwich’s Cinema City is a tribute to how the city keeps its history alive. The building known as Suckling House was named after the family who owned it in the sixteenth century. With some areas dating … Read more

Adrian James Acoustics and BB93

Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) is a set of guidelines first published by the Department for Education in 2003. It was last updated in 2015. The document sets out minimum performance standards for the acoustics of school buildings. Company director Adrian James was one of the two original authors of BB93. As a recognised expert he … Read more

St George’s Hall

St George’s Hall, Liverpool is a magnificent Grade I listed building dating from 1854. It stands next to a smaller Concert Room which was opened two years later. Located on Lime Street in the city centre, this area is part of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site. The Hall was described by Nikolaus Pevsner as one of … Read more

Hammerton Court Dementia Intensive Care Unit

Hammerton Court is an outstanding dementia care unit built adjacent to the Julian Hospital in Norwich. Architects Ingleton Wood appointed Adrian James Acoustics to carry out a comprehensive acoustic assessment of the scheme. The design is based around three attractive courtyards, with 36 bedrooms, a coffee shop and lounge areas offering a long term home … Read more

Stirling Prize 2019: Goldsmith Street, Norwich

We are delighted to announce that the 2019 RIBA Stirling Prize has been won by a project where AJA carried out both the acoustic design and sound testing. This is the first time ever that the Stirling Prize has been awarded to a social housing design. Goldsmith Street is a major social housing development consisting … Read more

The Atrium, North Walsham

The Atrium is a government-funded “co-location” project to improve arts facilities for students during school hours, along with making these amenities available for use by the wider community at other times. The project transformed an existing site at North Walsham High School by adding a new space, including a 170-seat auditorium. This cinema / theatre … Read more

Chichester Cathedral

There is a particular challenge in working with sound in an ancient building. When that building is Chichester Cathedral – famous for its 277-foot spire, double aisles and unique free-standing bell tower – it is essential that the job is done well. In 2004 Adrian James Acoustics was appointed to design and commission a new … Read more

Two Awards for AJA

The Association of Noise Consultants has just announced its annual awards for the very best in the field of acoustics, and this year Adrian James Acoustics is delighted to have won two prestigious accolades. Manchester’s Crowne Plaza Hotel was the venue for the ceremony, rounding off a day devoted to conference meetings and presentations.  At the evening … Read more

Hampton School Sixth Form Centre

Hampton School was founded in 1557 and lies close to one of England’s greatest historical sites – Hampton Court Palace, residence of Henry VIII.  When the school decided to build a new Sixth Form Centre they needed something ready for the demands of the 21st century.  Now that this project is almost complete, we look … Read more

Pipers Corner

Pipers Corner School for girls is nestled in a rural setting overlooking High Wycombe. When the decision was taken to build a new Performing Arts Centre, we were called in to provide both acoustic consultancy and as theatre consultants. The aim was to create a theatre, dance studio and rehearsal rooms as well as a … Read more

AJA and Theatre Consultancy

Company director Adrian James was extensively involved in theatre and concert hall design even before he created Adrian James Acoustics in 1994. He had worked closely with leading theatre consultants in the UK, the Middle East and Hong Kong, as well as other auditoria such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House … Read more

Another Award for the George Green Library

Back in 2013 we were awarded the first-ever UK prize for architectural acoustic design.  This was for our work alongside Hopkins Architects and contractors Galliford Try at the UEL Stratford Campus Library. Five years later, and as part of a group led again by Hopkins, we have received another accolade – a Highly Commended award from the … Read more

Two Awards for Nur Alem Pavilion

We are delighted to announce that Adrian James Acoustics has won two awards at the Association of Noise Consultants 2018 conference. Our work on the Nur Alem Pavilion for Expo 2017 was Highly Commended in the Building Acoustics category, and Principal Acoustics and Theatre Consultant Ian Rees won the Best Presentation award for his entertaining presentation … Read more

The Writers’ Centre at the Dragon Hall

Our Principal Acoustics & Theatre Consultant Ian Rees has worked on numerous projects, but the historic Dragon Hall, Norwich is particularly exciting.  This merchant’s hall dates from 1430 and is part of the “Norwich Twelve” – recognised as one of the city’s most important medieval buildings. Now a Writers’ Centre is being established at the … Read more

A Day Out at the Tower

Adrian was delighted to be invited to the SEN Legal Annual Conference at the Tower of London Conference Centre, previously the New Armouries*.  In between the many excellent presentations and discussions, this gave him the opportunity to re-visit the venue for which he was the acoustics consultant when it was converted in the Nineties.  He … Read more

Fletton Quays

Fletton Quays is part of a £120 million development in the heart of Peterborough.  This ambitious council-backed venture was launched in 2017 as the initial project for the Peterborough Investment Partnership.  The goal is to regenerate an area adjacent to the River Nene, creating an attractive space featuring apartments and restaurants, a hotel, a dedicated … Read more

NUA Boardman House wins ANC Award

UEA Bob Champion Building commended in ANC Awards