Chydenius School

A school built according to the needs of its users

The new school building in Chydenius Primary School in Kokkola is a school building that meets the requirements of the modern curriculum. The transformable building, which serves many uses, was designed according to the needs of its users, ie on a children's scale. Acoustics design had to start with the fact that acoustics support an open learning environment and children's school life.

In school facilities, functionality is also the number one issue in acoustic solutions

Chydenius School consists of many different spaces. There is both an open and adaptable learning space, a large atrium space with a canteen and library, and more enclosed classrooms and staff spaces.

A functional and functional acoustic solution was needed for all the facilities. The acoustic designer of the project, Anni Haataja from Akukon Oy, states that it is not always important to make the sound world of the space muted, but rather suitable for use. Sometimes you have to hear the sound.

In addition, in the acoustic design of school spaces, it is important to take into account the everyday life of the functional spaces and how the spaces are used. Damping materials are needed for the walls and ceiling, which must be durable in use. In addition to durability, the materials must be easy to clean. Haataja also mentions that in addition to visuals, the technical feasibility of the products must be good.

Good acoustics were ensured by measurement results and user experiences

After the completion of the premises of the Chydenius school, official measurements of acoustics were still wanted in the building. Akukon Oy went to perform the requested measurements, and as expected, good results were obtained.

The users of the facilities have also been satisfied with the acoustics of the school, sensory experience.

"Both the school principal and other school users have been satisfied with the acoustics."
Anni Haataja - Acoustics consultant, Akukon Oy

According to Haataja, at Akukon, measurements are made regularly at completed sites. However, measurement is not always necessary if users themselves experience acoustics.

In the case of the Chydenius school, the acoustics were found to be good in any case through both the measurement results and the users' personal experiences.

Acoustic ceiling that is suitable for other interiors

An acoustic ceiling can often be thought of as just a traditional white panel ceiling. Today, however, there are a considerable number of alternatives to different aesthetic solutions, which is also evident in the school of Chydenius.

Because colors played an important role in school interiors and in the division of spaces, the use of colors was also important in acoustic panels. A colorful acoustic ceiling suitable for the color scheme was made in the lobby with Rockfon's Color All Special acoustic panels, which were painted in the desired purple color.

In general, a colored acoustic ceiling can be thought of as raising the cost of the project and complicating installation, but this is not the case with Color All Special panels. Instead, colored panels give a unified interior space without having to make significant compromises in interior design under the guise of acoustics.