Located in the heart of Oxford, Jesus College was established between 1496 and 1596 on the site of the 12th Century Benedictine nunnery of St Mary and St Radegund. Today, the college is a community of over 1,100 engaged in a wide range of academic subjects, including mathematics, English, archaeology and computer science.
The development represents the largest transformation of Jesus College since the early 18th century. Combining new graduate accommodation, communal spaces, state-of-the-art teaching and meeting facilities and the latest digital technologies, the founding of this innovative £40m project was made possible in large part to a donation by Hong Kong entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr Henry Cheng Kar Shun and is named in honour of his father, Dr Cheng Yu Tung.
The Building was designed by MICA Architects and constructed by BAM Construction UK. At its heart is the Cheng Kar Shun Digital Hub – a flexible, open space in which interdisciplinary learning, research, knowledge exchange and collaboration are facilitated and celebrated.
Truly inspiring architecture
The Cheng Yu Tung facades feature large black framed windows set within a composition of rendered elevations of differing heights which create an impactful contemporary exterior. The building’s interior is all elegant sweeping lines and curves of pristine white walls and ceilings with light wood floors set around a grand central semi-cicular stairwell which affords internal vistas between the four storeys, where minimalist anciliary stairways acend and feature windows let natural light flood in and glimpses of the neighboroung period architecture can be seen.
Following the completion of installations within earlier building phases at the college, working with AT Jones Construction, specialists Pacy & Wheatley were successful in their tender to install around 304m2 of Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic seamless ceiling systems throughout the building, including teaching and meeting areas on the first floor, the third floor café and the digital hub across four storeys.
Aesthetic appeal with acoustic control
Pacy & Wheatley Director Craig Wheatley, “Invasive noise can affect productivity and wellbeing so good acoustic control is vital within spaces where people meet to work or socialise. Mono was chosen due to its unique aesthetic qualities and the level of acoustic control it provides, absorbing unwanted white noise and addressing the potential reverberation issues common within many modern developments where large windows, stone, steel and other resonant architectural elements can generate unwanted sound.”
Ground-breaking Mono Acoustic combines a seamless ceiling with high performance characteristics. It can be used for ceilings, walls, or to create bespoke islands. Its versatility means it can be used to form curves, easily transitioned into plasterboard or integrated into existing mouldings. Ceiling tiles are installed and then completed with acoustic render which not only offers high sound absorption but also provides 87% light reflection and greater than 99% light diffusion, reducing the need for artificial light.
The system allows for incorporation of lighting, audio and other mechanical systems whilst delivering Class A sound absorption along with Class A2 fire protection. It also offers dimensionally stability at up to 100% relative humidity and can be installed in temperatures ranging from 0˚C to 40˚C. Thanks to its core of naturally occurring, non-hygroscopic stone wool, it provides no sustenance to harmful micro-organisms, embodies high humidity resistance and is impervious to most environmental pressures.
Serious about sustainability and wellbeing
Mono Acoustic is Silver level Cradle to Cradle Certified® and can also contribute valuably to LEED, BREEAM and WELL Building Standards.
