BATH PARK PRIOR COLLEGE

Prior Park College sits on one of Bath’s most recognisable heritage estates, and its multi-purpose hall carried all the quirks of an old, reflective volume. The space was used daily for exams, assemblies, and performances — yet its acoustics belonged to another era. Harsh reflections, long reverberation, and a ceiling that scattered sound unpredictably made concentration and speech clarity a constant struggle.

Our task was to improve the room without disturbing its character. Every intervention had to feel quiet, respectful, and aligned with the building’s historic atmosphere.

The first phase focused on the ceiling — the heart of the room’s acoustic behaviour. We revisited the school’s initial design concept and developed a more controlled scheme that balanced absorption and reflection across the volume. Between the structural beams, the entire ceiling void was lined with black acoustical backing to stabilise reverberation.

Below this, 128 natural-oak grooved wood panels — each individually coded and installed at varying angles — formed a subtle wave geometry. This form delivered both acoustic scattering and a refined visual rhythm, improving the sound while preserving the hall’s understated identity.

This was not a cosmetic upgrade, but a quiet transformation. Instead of adding ornamentation, we removed acoustic noise. Instead of imposing a new aesthetic, we chose a palette that belonged: calm, natural oak that would age with the building. The work allowed the hall to function as it should — clearer, calmer, and more focused — without ever feeling altered.

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