Iona College

Iona College reveals itself through rhythm, colour and precision — a project where repetition is never uniform, and variation is carefully composed.

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Designed in collaboration between Clarke Hopkins Clarke and specialist manufacturing expertise, the ceiling becomes a canvas of movement, where each space is given its own identity while remaining part of a cohesive whole.

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Delivered under the tight timelines of a new school year, the project demanded not only design clarity, but a level of coordination that could translate complexity into buildable reality.

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At the centre of this expression are the bespoke wood wool baffles, each room configured with its own arrangement to respond to width, proportion and spatial intent. No two areas are quite the same. The baffles shift in composition and colour, with carefully matched RAL and Dulux tones running through each row to create a layered, almost rhythmic effect overhead.

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The introduction of a wave profile adds another dimension — a controlled undulation that requires absolute alignment to achieve its full visual impact. It is a system where precision is not optional, but fundamental to the outcome.

To meet both the design ambition and the programme constraints, each baffle set was manufactured and packed individually, allowing for an efficient and highly organised installation process on site. Installed by Xpress Plaster, the ceiling comes together with a level of accuracy that belies its complexity, each element sitting exactly as intended to complete the larger composition.

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Beyond the baffles, the common areas adopt a more restrained but equally considered approach. Here, 35mm wood wool panels are installed on a concealed grid, forming a flush and continuous ceiling plane. These panels provide not only visual consistency, but a critical layer of acoustic performance. With an NRC of 0.90, the system effectively manages sound within open learning environments, reducing noise build-up and supporting a more balanced and focused atmosphere for students and staff.

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Across the project, the interplay between expressive feature ceilings and quieter, performance-driven surfaces creates a dynamic yet controlled environment. Iona College ultimately demonstrates how complexity, when resolved with care, can feel effortless — a project where colour, form and function are brought into alignment through thoughtful design and precise execution.