For immediate release

24 August 2004

SUNKEN SHIPS AND ‘FLOATING’ FLOORS – a construction adventure both medieval and modern

It’s not often one can boast of taking longer than usual to complete a contract. But it took IAC of Winchester six months longer than anticipated to install four Panel Mount Floating Floor Systems at the Riverfront Arts Centre in Newport South Wales. The reason? The uncovering of a medieval maritime gem.

Building plans were halted when the well-preserved remains of the 30-metre-long, medieval oak ship were unearthed during foundation excavation works. The remains of the ship, which dates back to 1465, were remarkably intact having been preserved deep in the mud on the Riverfront site on the banks of the River Usk. Unique in northern Europe and already dubbed ‘The Welsh Mary Rose’, the Newport Ship has been heralded as a hugely important archaeological discovery.

A £3.5m scheme has financed its preservation and the Ship will be on public display within the Arts Centre itself. Architectural plans were modified to accommodate a purpose-built public gallery in a specially-constructed 280 metre-square, 4 metre-deep basement. Access to the viewing gallery will be via lift or staircase where visitors will be able to see the ship at different levels.

This attraction further adds to the appeal of what was already destined to be an architecturally-exciting building. With performance spaces being the key element of the complex, every attention was given during the design phase to ensure excellent sound quality within them. Acoustic consultants SRL, worked with IAC to define the sound attenuation requirements of four key parts of the building: this took place during the final design stage of the project.

Working alongside main contractor, Willmott Dixon Turner, in conjunction with Austin Smith Lord, architects and appointed acoustic consultants SRL, IAC designed and installed five Panel Mount Floating Floor Systems in the complex. Two work to protect both the recording studio and control room from environmental noise travelling through building structures, while three additional Systems reduce noise from a mechanical plant and chiller plant rooms located above both the main auditorium.

Gary Dawson is Business Manager Building Services at IAC: “The lightweight structure of the Riverfront building, in common with most of today’s buildings, would be unable to tolerate traditional heavy concrete and brick barriers as noise management solutions. A Floating Floor, though, gives the equivalent Sound Reduction Index (SRI) of somewhere in excess of 5m thickness of concrete. For noise control that doesn’t strain the fabric of the building, floating floors are the answer.”

IAC, as a world-leading provider of noise and acoustic control solutions, has fitted many floating floors in the UK in applications varying from gyms and bowling alleys, to cinemas and shooting ranges. Noise management and control is an important factor in the design of public-use buildings.

The five Floating Floor systems installed in the Newport Arts Centre were IAC’s standard Panel Mount Systems. These incorporated neoprene isolators that provided an acoustic break and a fixed air gap between the ‘floating’ concrete floor slab and the structural building slab. Each system was adapted to suit the individual application and location within the building. IAC project managed the entire installation.

Richard Jones is Senior Building Manager with E. Turner & Sons: “IAC did a very good job for us at the Riverfront. It was their attention to detail that made all the difference and ensured the success of the contract for all parties.”

E Turner & Sons is part of the Willmott Dixon Group, one of the UK’s leading privately owned construction companies.

More information on IAC’s floating floors can be found at www.iacl.co.uk or call Gary Dawson on 01962 873000. For a full colour brochure on Floating Floors call 01962 873050.

ENDS

For further press information, please contact: Sally Davis in the IAC Press Office on tel/fax: + 44 (0)23 9266 1600 sally@theprdepartment.co.uk