Fire & Acoustic Rated Linings for Taronga by SUPAWOOD

Fire and acoustic rated linings for sustainable design at Taronga Wildlife Retreat

A selection of customised SUPAWOOD linings have been used for the ceilings of the reception lounge and restaurant at Taronga Zoo's Wildlife Retreat in Sydney NSW. The designers, Cox Architecture wanted to meet the sustainable design requirements of the client's brief by choosing a range of linings that would achieve acoustic and fire ratings. The linings chosen also required customisation to blend with the exterior native bushland setting of this iconic location. SUPAWOOD were able to offer the solutions and technical assistance required to fulfil the design brief.

The retreat is nestled within the zoo and blends into its surroundings to create a natural yet luxurious atmosphere for guests. On arrival you enter a large circular reception lounge filled with timber finishes, an Australian bush colour pallet, and boasting extensive views over the zoo to Sydney harbour beyond.

The surface of the segmented circular ceiling is lined with shaped SUPASLAT profile 4 panels. The panels have an acoustic backing to address noise reverberation in this large open area. To fit the slatted panels to the outer circumference, sections of SUPALINE panelling has been used. These linings are finished in a zero VOC SUPAFINISH Tasmanian Oak laminate on a fire retardant MDF substrate.

Adjoining the reception is the Retreat's restaurant offering a unique dining experience while looking across the zoo to the harbour. A dynamic feature ceiling has been created with custom cut SUPACOUSTIC leaf shaped slotted panels arranged in an overlapping configuration. Each leaf is an individual panel that was applied separately, the whole design creating a unique biophilic effect. Additionally, around the perimeter of the restaurant are several columns lined with slats. Again, both the products here are finished in a zero VOC SUPAFINISH Tasmanian Oak laminate on a fire retardant MDF substrate.

This project is a perfect example of how SUPAWOOD's products can be customised to exactly suit a complex design brief and still meet expected BCA requirements for this sort of building.

Photogranpy Mike Chorley.