SUPACOUSTIC Curved Perforated Acoustic Ceiling Panels Enhance Restoration of Heritage Building

Curved acoustic ceiling an enduring feature of heritage restoration

10 years on and a curved ceiling created with SUPAWOOD’S perforated acoustic panels remains an enduring feature in the multi award winning restoration of a complex of some of Sydney’s oldest public buildings. This ceiling has been blended with the adapted heritage structures and has successfully addressed noise reverberation in what is now a versatile theatrette/function room.

Addressing noise reverberation was a must in the planning of this space but the designers, FJMT, wanted to include a curved timber surface for the ceiling. By choosing SUPACOUSTIC acoustic panels they were assured of superior tested acoustic efficiency as well as achieving smooth curves in a timber finish.

For many years most of the buildings at the Sydney Mint were just ruinous reminders of a significant historic place until 2005 when the site was superbly restored. The restoration was sensitively undertaken by incorporating the remains of the old buildings with contemporary architectural forms which now houses the HQ for the Historic Houses Trust and the Mint Museum.

The 'Gold Melting Room' has now become a popular Sydney contemporary multi-function event space catering for both social and business gatherings. The dramatic ceiling in this space was created from pre-finished custom curved SUPACOUSTIC perforated panels in Anegre natural timber veneer. SUPAWOOD provided comprehensive technical advice and support throughout the installation.

The sweep of the curved panels starts at the full height of the front double-storey glazed wall and continues across the entire ceiling. Services including audio equipment have been sensitively integrated. When looking into the space from the courtyard outside, the timber curved ceiling is perfectly set against the historic setting.

The Mint restoration project has over the years received many awards including the RAIA’s Sir John Sulman Medallion for Outstanding Public Architecture and the Francis Greenway Award for Conservation simultaneously (for the first time in the Institute’s history), and the Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage. It was also nominated by the UK’s Building Services Journal as one of the “top 30 ground breaking buildings of the world”.

RAIA Judging Jury comment…
"The metamorphosis of the 1850s Mint from a cluster of ruinous and neglected shells to a superb ensemble of restored, adapted and invented forms and spaces... a gift to Sydney... an exemplary collaboration of minds and skills: talented design architects, gifted specialist consultants and a client with a reputation for expertise and innovation in such projects."

Project: Gold Melting Room, The Sydney Mint

Address: 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW

Product/Finish: SUPACOUSTIC Custom curved perforated panels in SUPAVENEER Anegre NTV.

Architect: FJMT - Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp

Heritage Architect: Clive Lucas, Stapleton & Partners

Builder: St Hilliers

Photos: John Gollings