Heradesign Fins by Knauf AMF are Creative to the Core

Global advertising agency, Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) London HQ has been redesigned and refurbished from a conventional office layout into an inspiring and welcoming open plan studio space designed for creativity. Central to the redesign is a triple height studio which runs through the core of the building. As well as allowing in light to fill the space, it creates a new open, flexible working area ideal for encouraging social interaction and creative thinking. Visitors to the agency are directed to the central studio on arrival and architects and designers, Urban Salon, wanted to give the area a warm, welcoming feel. To help achieve this, they specified the use of natural materials. Heradesign Superfine acoustic Fins from Knauf AMF, fitted the brief perfectly and were installed under the existing barrel vaulted roof. The vertically suspended Fins were formed using 25mm thick mineral wool panels wrapped around a solid timber board on both sides. The characteristic natural texture of wood wool lends itself perfectly to the design theme as Urban Salon Director, Alex Mowat explained: “We designed specially formed V-shaped Fins produced in a custom-made light-grey colour on one side and standard white on the other to complement the natural colours of the bamboo and textiles used elsewhere in the central studio. The Fins provide solar shading and at the same time allow daylight to pass through the original glass roof. Along with the other acoustic materials, the Fins help reduce reverberation times in the large open space where 400 people work together.” The Fins were suspended in the roof space of the central studio and are affixed to steel RSJs. Frost Interiors installed the Fins and Managing Director, Stephen Frost, explained how they developed the design of the Fins with help from Knauf AMF’s technical team. “We worked successfully with Knauf AMF to turn the design of the Fins into a reality, making them lightweight and easy to install. We used solid machined sections of timber mechanically fixed to the upper face of the top flange and lower face of the bottom flange to provide fixing points for the Heradesign panels. An additional section of timber was introduced at the base of the Fins to hold the material in the triangular position.” The Heradesign panels are available in various sizes, face patterns, edge details with an unlimited range of colours including RAL, NCS or StoColor offering architects a unique product to create truly original interiors. The Heradesign Fins create a bold architectural statement which are perfect for a modern space and are practical. They are ideal for areas where a suspended ceiling is not viable but acoustic control is necessary. The Fins provide excellent sound absorption in what would otherwise be a hard, reverberant space.