Royal Holloway University

Inspiration: Royal Holloway University

Product: Gustafs Panel System

Architect: Associated Architects

Installer: Rosguill Developments Ltd

Product: Gustafs Panel System for Walls and Ceilings

Specification: Natural and Pigmented Oak and Stained Ash Veneer SM5 Perforations

Quantity: 4,000m2

LSA Projects Ltd are pleased to share with you our case study of Gustafs Panel System at Royal Holloway University which was installed in addition to 2,000m2 of Linear Ribs.

Alongside an abundance of books and other historical and academic literature the library was designed with student life in mind with a wealth of quiet, individual, and group study space in addition to informal social breakout spaces looking out over the founders square.

The statement library is part of a bigger expansion and improvement project for the Top 25 University; beginning with the Emily Wilding Davison library in 2017 the University has recently opened The Beatrice Shilling Building for Electronic Engineering and new Music and Media facilities are planned for the near future.

Sold exclusively in the UK by LSA Projects Ltd, Gustafs Panel System is the leading product on the global market for timber veneered (as well as painted and metal or laminate faced) panels and acoustic panels. The panel system has a recommended 50 Year Design Life and a track record in the UK alone of 20 year old projects (and counting) owing to the unique solid panel base provided by the gypsum particleboard which eliminates the risk of panels moving and warping over time as you would expect to see with a solid timber or MDF cored product. The panels are also completely non-combustible achieving Euroclass A2,s1-d0 for Fire Resistance (exceeding the criteria for Class 0) for the whole product build-up from the paper panel backing to the facing veneer and lacquer.

Across the space 3 different timber finishes were specified to the project: white washed Oak, natural Oak and black stained Ash. The range of timbers helps to add to the depth and texture of the material and to break-up the finish between spaces and floors whist keeping a consistent theme across the library’s cladding. A mixture of plain and SM5 mini slotted acoustic panels were used to give some acoustic absorption to the atrium space, SM5 perforations mini slot perforations at 5mm x 20mm provide 15% open area and achieve acoustic class C which is perfect for light acoustic control across all frequencies.

In addition to the traditional wall and ceiling Gustafs cladding, panels were used to cover pillars and beams within the library. Each piece was made to measure at the factory to ensure a perfect fit using Gustaf’s unique CAPAX profile system for invisible installation.