Education

Acoustic consultancy services to support RIBA design stage 4 acoustic design of the David Hockney building at Bradford College.

Acoustic Consultancy for the David Hockney Building at Bradford College

NOVA Acoustics Ltd was appointed to provide acoustic consultancy services for the landmark David Hockney Building at Bradford College, a six-storey, 23,000m² educational facility designed to consolidate several city centre faculties into one modern, eco-friendly campus .

Our involvement focused on ensuring optimal acoustic performance across a range of learning environments, including media rooms, collaborative lecture spaces, and vocational training areas.

Project Overview

Named after one of Bradford’s most celebrated alumni, the David Hockney Building was developed by BAM Construction and designed by Bond Bryan Architects to transform the student experience. The building features open-plan computer labs, a central atrium flooded with natural light, and specialist facilities for catering, hospitality, and media production.

In 2024, the building underwent further upgrades as part of a £3.5 million T-Level Capital Fund investment from the Department for Education. This included the creation of new barbering and nail salons, a TV studio, enhanced media editing suites, and a remodelled training restaurant known as The Grove

Scope of Acoustic Work

Our consultancy services were tailored to support both the original construction and the recent T-Level refurbishments. The scope included:

Airborne and Impact Sound Insulation Testing
Conducted across designated media rooms and collaborative spaces to ensure compliance with educational acoustic standards .
Reverberation Testing
Evaluated reverberation times in open-plan and enclosed areas to optimise speech intelligibility and audio clarity for teaching and recording environments.
Internal Ambient Noise Measurements
Assessed background noise levels to ensure a conducive learning atmosphere, particularly in media editing and TV studio spaces.
Technical Reporting
All findings were compiled into a detailed technical report, confirming whether acoustic criteria were met and providing recommendations for any necessary adjustments

Design Integration

Our team worked closely with the college’s project managers and contractors to integrate acoustic treatments into the architectural and mechanical design. This included advising on material selection, spatial layout, and HVAC noise control to support both teaching and vocational training activities.

The acoustic strategy was aligned with the college’s broader goals of creating inclusive, high-performance learning environments that reflect the needs of modern education and industry partnerships.

Outcome

The David Hockney Building now offers a dynamic and acoustically optimised environment for students pursuing careers in media, hospitality, and digital technologies. Our consultancy helped ensure that the building’s diverse spaces—from lecture halls to TV studios—support clear communication, focused learning, and professional-grade audio production.

The successful delivery of acoustic services contributed to the building’s reputation as a flagship facility for Bradford College, supporting both traditional academic pathways and emerging vocational qualifications like T Levels 2 3.

Why NOVA Acoustics?

At NOVA Acoustics Ltd, we specialise in acoustic consultancy for educational, commercial, and heritage developments. Our work on the David Hockney Building exemplifies our ability to deliver tailored acoustic solutions that enhance learning environments and meet regulatory standards.

We offer a full suite of services across the UK, including:

Noise Impact Assessments for planning and environmental compliance
Sound Insulation Testing for Building Regulations Part E
Noise at Work Assessments for occupational health compliance
Reverberation Control for classrooms, lecture theatres, and performance spaces
Vibration and Dust Monitoring for construction and infrastructure projects
Soundproofing Advice and Products for residential and commercial clients

Our consultants are members of the Institute of Acoustics and bring deep sector experience in education, healthcare, hospitality, and residential development. Explore more of our recent projects or contact us today to discuss how we can support your next development.