Sydney
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Overview
Jones Sonter Architects selected timber to feature heavily in the Knox Grammar School Great Hall + Aquatic Centre project as it provides versatile to satisfy a range of requirements in the design & functional operation of the building. Timber's qualities such as resilience, durability, appearance, acoustics, maintainability, appearance & sustainability have all work together to provide a wonderful welcoming space.
The Great Hall features Sydney Blue Gum timber on the stage and around the main entry doors. The impressive scaled Hall's eight, 3m high solid timber doors and portal entry, both invite and guide people from the entry foyer into the Great Hall.
Perforated and angled plywood timber panels were used on the ceilings and walls and are arranged strategically throughout the Hall, serving to achieve visual variety and exceptional acoustics. Solid and perforated flat timber panels were also used at low levels to conceal storage and a tough surface to the surrounds of the basketball courts.
The timber floors are used in the main hall as well as the foyer. The main hall sport's floor required to be both resilience during sports activities, also providing an impressive and attractive surface for assemblies and other school functions.
The entry foyer timber floor uses selected Blackbutt boards arranged in a large checkerboard pattern, detailed and placed to align with surrounding architectural elements, such as the large glass façade's structural fins and wall panels.
Sitting between the main hall's doorways is the building's most striking feature being the angled hoop pine veneer timber wall panels arranged in varying directions for acoustics and visual interest. This gives the entry foyer a dynamic backdrop that can be seen from outside the building.
Fire Engineering Solutions are described in Structure & Interior tabs
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Structure
Fire Resistance
This building is classified by the NCC as a Class 9b. As the building has a Rise in Storey is 3, the building Type of construction is A.
The main structure is in concrete and masonry and meets the BCA fire resistance requirements.
Timber framing is used only in the foyer roof. Type A construction requires roofs to be fire rated except where non-combustible roof materials (tiles) and the rise in storeys is 3 or less. The building complies with both conditions and consequently there are no fire rating requirements on the roof.
Interior
Timber use has been a crucial inclusion to define and provide a unique space, making them both functional and memorable.
The Great Hall features Sydney Blue Gum timber on the stage and around the main entry doors. The Hall's eight 3m high solid timber doors and portal entry, both invite and guide people from the entry foyer into the Great Hall.
Perforated and angled plywood timber panels were used on the ceilings and walls and are arranged strategically throughout the Hall, serving to achieve visual variety and exceptional acoustics. Solid and perforated flat timber panels were also used at low levels to conceal storage and a tough surface to the surrounds of the basketball courts.
The timber floors are used in the main hall as well as the foyer. The main hall sport's floor required to be both resilience during sports activities, also providing an impressive and attractive surface for assemblies and other school functions.
The entry foyer timber floor supports uses selected Blackbutt boards arranged in a large checkerboard pattern, detailed and placed to align with surrounding architectural elements, such as the large glass façade's structural fins and wall panels.
Sitting between the main hall's doorways is the building's most striking feature being the angled hoop pine veneer timber wall panels arranged in varying directions for acoustics and visual interest. This gives the entry foyer a dynamic backdrop that can be seen from outside the building
Fire Hazard Properties
Ceiling linings
NCC's Spec C1.10 requires Class 9b building that are not sprinkled to have ceiling covering for public corridors and specifics areas, made from Material Group Number of 1 or 2. The foyer and hall are both considered corridors and specific areas.
The NCC provisions are met through the use hoop pine veneered panels on fire retardant treated MDF. The combination of systems achieves a Material Group Number 2.
Wall Linings
NCC'S Spec C1.10 requires Class 9b buildings that are not sprinkled to have wall covering for public corridors, made from Material Group Number of 1 or 2. Specifics areas require Material Group Number of 1, 2 or 3. The foyer is considered a corridors and the main hall as a specific areas.
The BCA provisions are met as the Hoop Pine veneered panels on fire retardant treated MDF. The combination of systems achieves a Material Group Number 2.
Floor Covering
NCC's Specification C1.10 Fire Hazard Properties requires Class 9b buildings not fitted with sprinklers to have floor covering with a Critical Radiant Flux of 2.2 or greater and Smoke Development Rate of less than 750 % - minute.
Victorian ash flooring is used in the main hall. Its Critical Radiant Flux is greater than 2.2 and its Smoke Development Rate is less 750 % - minute.
Blackbutt flooring is used in the foyer. Again its Critical Radiant Flux is greater than 2.2 and its Smoke Development Rate is less 750 % - minute.
