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J&C Joel Installs at Millfield School
Drapes specialist J&C Joel has completed the installation of a set of motorised acoustic drapes for the new Music School and Concert Hall at Millfield School in Street, Somerset, one of the UK’s most famous independent schools.
The complex incorporates a 350-seat concert venue, rehearsal areas for all their ensembles, six classrooms, 25 teaching/practice rooms, recording studios and specialist percussion rooms.
J&C Joel was consulted by main contractors Cowlin, who were working directly for DK Architects. The new main performance space has been designed to offer both acoustically correct music or drama performances, and needed a solution that quickly transformed the acoustics to suit the specific type of performance taking place.
J&C Joel’s contract manager Tony Griffiths proposed a twin Triple E motorised Unirail system for the two side walls, along with a motorised Chaintrack for the rear wall. This would normally be a straightforward enough design and installation operation, but the 30m long side walls feature a series of twist, turns, curves and recesses, all of which had to be negotiated by the curtains on the track.
This necessitated a very precise measuring operation, which was easily the most challenging aspect of the entire project, according to Richard Turner, J&C Joel’s project co-ordinator. In addition, and to be certain that the track measurements were perfect, Griffiths and Turner also had to ensure that the special timber acoustic panels lining the walls were left untouched and not cosmetically compromised in any way.
Griffiths explained that the Unirail was specified because of its robust build quality, its streamlined appearance and its superior motorised properties. A linear motor unit allows the 30m long x 8m drop of Midnight Blue heavy wool serge curtains to sashay around the track, gliding silently and effortlessly through the complex curves and contours of the ceiling.
Another huge advantage was having a totally invisible power tail behind, the motor requires no steel cables for operation, and has locating rings sewn onto the reverse side of the curtains. All that can be seen is the motor and the curtain behind it . . . leaving everything in front totally clean and clear.
To store and conceal the curtains when not in use, a ‘front’ façade is built onto the back wall of the concert hall. This also has acoustic properties and so needed draping, giving Griffiths and Turner the further challenge of masking it with a motorised system that could also be stored on the reverse side of a wall – which is a mere 300 mm thick!
Triple E Chaintrack provided the answer here. Designed to provide a diameter as low as 100 mm this was the perfect product for the task. A continuous motorised Chaintrack was installed on both front and rear faces of the wall – this piece of ingenuity allows a 12 metre wide by 7 metre drop curtain to either be in full view when needed, or alternatively hidden/stored on the reverse side.
J&C Joes also specified a simple remote controller that allows the Millfield staff to operate the system – similar to a TV remote.
Tony Griffiths summed up: “The great thing about our industry is the challenge of every contract being bespoke, and confirming to a client that we can do what they need. In essence the greater the challenge, the more satisfaction the completed project brings.”
http://www.jcjoel.com
12th January 2007
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