Style divides stepped auditorium
at The Francis Crick Institute
The Francis Crick Institute in London is a biomedical discovery institute dedicated to understanding the fundamental biology underlying health and disease. As a construction project it boasts some stunning statistics. 1,500 research staff when fully occupied, 12,560M2 dedicated to laboratory space, 1,700M2 of rooftop solar panels and a BREEAM excellent award in design and procurement.
Working with HOK architects and main contractor Laing O’Rourke, sub-contracted to EE Smith, Style was specified to install a moveable partitioning wall in the main auditorium of this remarkable building.
As a stepped auditorium, Skyfold was the only viable solution. Catering perfectly for a tiered room layout, this vertically rising, fully automatic, acoustic moveable wall is housed in the ceiling cavity, and glides effortlessly into place at the push of a button, coming to rest on each individual level of flooring.
Due to the sheer size of the room, 3 Skyfolds were used to create one wall with incredible attention to detail - the lines of the veneer matching perfectly, not only across the 3 Skyfolds but the surrounding fixed walls too.
With phenomenal 49dB acoustics attained on site, this was a truly market-leading installation, allowing the auditorium to be divided or opened up with ease and speed, and events take place either side in completely privacy.
“This is without doubt a showcase installation for Style,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director.
“The fact that Skyfold occupies no floor space when not in use and is completely invisible, the ease at which it automatically glides into position catering for the complexity of a stepped auditorium, the perfection of the finish in matching with precision the lines of the surrounding veneer and the breathtaking acoustic integrity. All of these combine to deliver one of the finest projects I have ever been involved in, and I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that’s been involved.”
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