Culture meets sound quality

O.M.A. relies on flexible architecture and precise room acoustics with LIGNO® acoustic panels

Die dunkle Akustikverkleidung aus Holz in Regular-Profil gliedert den Raum und trägt entscheidend zur Raumakustik im hochmodernen Veranstaltungsort bei.

Der große Veranstaltungssaal der Factory International zeigt den Einsatz von LIGNO® Akustikpaneele in Eiche dunkel geräuchert.

Auch bei vollen Rängen bleibt die Klangqualität erhalten: Die Akustikpaneele aus Holz reduzieren den Lärmpegel und verbessern das Hörerlebnis für alle Gäste.

Die Factory International fügt sich als architektonisches Highlight in das moderne Stadtbild von Manchester ein.

Die markante Fassade der Factory International in Manchester mit ihrer Struktur aus Beton und Metall positioniert sich selbstbewusst in der urbanen Kulisse.

Factory International in Manchester, designed by O.M.A. under the direction of Ellen van Loon, is an architecturally and acoustically ambitious cultural venue in the heart of the city. Where movable partition walls, variable stage configurations and open-plan concepts allow for maximum flexibility, convincing acoustic solutions are also required. LIGNO® acoustic panels with a regular profile and a dark smoked oak surface were used for selected wall areas – they perform precision sound-absorbing work and blend seamlessly into the industrial material concept of concrete, metal and exposed structures. The result is a space in the midst of the former industrial landscape that not only showcases great works of art, but also provides perfect acoustics.

Cultural Machine

Designed by OMA, the Factory Theatre in Manchester forms part of the Aviva Studios complex and is conceived as a highly flexible “cultural machine”. Rather than a sequence of cubic volumes, a complex spatial geometry defines the building’s external appearance. The dynamic architectural form deliberately departs from classical theatre typologies and establishes a strong statement within the urban context. Manchester thus gains a venue capable of accommodating a wide range of performance formats, from theatre and concerts to experimental productions.

Room acoustics

Inside, the architectural complexity is consistently carried through. The large auditorium is designed in such a way that the geometry remains clearly legible and decisively shapes the configuration of walls and surfaces. A central challenge is the acoustic design of the space. Through the targeted placement of solid wood absorber panels, sound propagation is controlled and shaped, ensuring an intense and well-balanced listening experience for all audience members.

Fire retardant surface in oak

Along the side walls of the auditorium, solid wood absorber panels are installed – not merely as decorative cladding, but as an integral component of the acoustic design. They are used to precisely control reverberation time without acoustically over-damping the audience area. Finished with an oak veneer and featuring a fire-retardant surface, the panels comply with the safety requirements applicable to public assembly spaces.

Natural authenticity

The quality of the panels is based on the use of natural materials made from wood and wood fibres. In contrast to artificial alternatives that merely replicate the visual appearance of timber, the material remains authentic and directly perceptible. Solid wood does not only define the visual character of the space, but also its atmosphere and tactile qualities. Wood is used here as a natural building material – honest, durable and free from material imitations.

Configuration overview

Components used

LIGNO® Akustik light | Wall cladding
Product code:LIGNO® Akustik light 3S_33_a70g_625-12-4_EIF-ri_C-s2-d0_gs_nnu
To configurator To product page
Wood type

Various wood species are available for the visible layer. For quality reasons, individual wood species cannot be configured for all profiles; for technical reasons, surface treatments are excluded for some wood species.
Wood type
_EIF-i Oak knotless, veneer, impregnated dark smoked
Profile

The visible layer is profiled with joints. The code for profiling indicates in millimetres: Element width, strip width (rounded, from/to if applicable) and joint width (rounded) as well as a letter identification for variants, e.g. with chamfered strip edges or with additional height gradation.

Note: Some profiles indirectly cause exclusions for other configuration options.
Profile
_625-12-4 Slat profile
Structure

The face is subjected to a brushing _gb as standard, which produces a stronger or weaker structure depending on the type of wood and makes the surface less sensitive to scratches. Alternatively, a smooth sanding _gs can be carried out, or on request a bandsaw cut _grimitated.
Structure
_gs Sanded
Treatment

Depending on the type of wood, the optional application of a surface treatment is possible ex works. Individual colour finishes are always sampled for coordination. For elements in individual lengths, colour treatment is limited to max. 5 m length.
Treatment
_b0 unbehandelt
Fire behaviour

Few configurations can be configured with a flame-retardant surface. This may result in a modified element structure, greater thickness or the need for measures in the area of the substructure.
Fire behaviour
_C-s2-d0 Fire retardant surface
Room acoustics

If the soffit of the element is to have a good sound-absorbing effect, the penultimate layer is configured as absorber _a50g. Otherwise, this layer is configured as a solid wood layer _a0.
Room acoustics
_a70g 70% Absorber