Building Acoustics Archives - Adrian James Acoustics

Victorian school acoustics

1 May 20201 May 2020 by AJA

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

Central Surgery Sawbridgeworth

6 April 20206 April 2020 by AJA

We are pleased to announce the completion of the Central Surgery, Sawbridgeworth. This general practice based in Hertfordshire has undergone significant expansion since 2017. The biggest changes have come with the construction of a brand new two-storey extension to the existing building. This provides nine new consulting rooms and two rooms for minor operations. There … Read more

Dragon Hall

23 March 202023 March 2020 by AJA

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

11 March 202010 March 2020 by AJA

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

12 June 202011 February 2020 by AJA

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

11 March 202020 January 2020 by AJA

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

9 June 202010 January 2020 by AJA

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

6 April 202031 October 2019 by AJA

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

Great Hall, Kent College Canterbury

13 May 202010 October 2019 by AJA

Kent College Canterbury is 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. Unusually it also has access to an adjacent farm, partly managed by staff and pupils. In 2016 a second school was opened … Read more

Stirling Prize 2019: Goldsmith Street, Norwich

4 December 20199 October 2019 by AJA

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

31 October 201915 September 2019 by AJA

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

30 August 201930 August 2019 by AJA

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

9 June 20207 June 2019 by 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

9 June 202029 May 2019 by AJA

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

What is a PCT?

9 June 20204 May 2019 by AJA

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

Pipers Corner

9 June 20202 April 2019 by AJA

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

Awards Season on the horizon

9 June 202028 February 2019 by AJA

Summer has officially arrived, so the awards season is upon us. On 6th June the Association of Noise Consultants will present its annual celebration of the best in the field of acoustics. Manchester’s Crowne Plaza Hotel will host the ceremony, with categories including Innovation, Good Acoustic Design and Workplace Acoustics. A number of international sponsors are supporting the event, such as Ecophon, Bruel & Kjaer and Armourcoat … Read more

AJA and Theatre Consultancy

3 May 20195 February 2019 by AJA

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

16 September 20197 December 2018 by AJA

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

22 March 201928 June 2018 by AJA

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

11 June 202010 May 2018 by AJA

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

18 May 20183 May 2018 by AJA

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

9 June 20203 April 2018 by AJA

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