The Heradesign customer and partner journal Issue 5 Spring/Summer 2010

Acoustic solutions
hit the right tone
McDonalds Austria with Heradesign
Sophisticated caf atmosphere in cosy lounges 2
Jena Tourist Information
Combination of modern style and tradition 3
Klinikum Rostock day care centre for children
Playing and learning where parents work 4
Erasmus University Rotterdam
The ceiling as an objet dart 5
Students hall of residence in the Netherlands
Jan Decker on perfect room acoustics 6/7
Pestalozzi School in Leonberg
Property report and interview with SOMAA. 8-11
Heradesign innovations
Bafes, ceiling panels and acoustics consultants 12-16
Campus in Ferndorf
Professional acoustics training 15
B
esides the overall positive market de-
velopment, I am pleased about two
other trends. Although the phenomenon of
acoustics is still relatively unknown, there
is a visible trend that more and more people
are becoming aware of the positive infu-
ences of good acoustics, namely improved
concentration, increased speech intelligibi-
lity and the increase in overall well-being.
The second trend which confrms the
Heradesign product development can be
seen in the fact that ceilings are increasingly
reverting to their original function again, na-
mely of being a design element. Technical
functions of the ceiling, such as enclosing
the ventilation system, temperature con-
trol and cable ducts, are taken over by the
building envelope or are altogether solved
differently through technical innovations.
Heradesign Ceiling Systems develops to-
wards being a system provider of acoustic
solutions. In order to advance this develop-
ment, which will be consistently continued
in the coming years, we have developed
a range of new products such as wall and
ceiling panels, baffes and a T-track system.
The trend on the market is clear: only pro-
viders that offer complete system solutions
for acoustics will be successful in the end.
Page 2
Page 8
Page 4
Page 12
Page 15
Page 16
Matthias Francke
General Manager Heradesign
Page 5
2
Property report Spring/Summer 2010
T
hrough a completely new interior design, McDonalds
Austria aims to put the character of the restaurant in
the foreground. Top quality materials and special colour
schemes in Austrias largest family restaurant encourage
guests to stay longer: taking time for a good meal and/or a
tasty coffee, this is what is important.
For the new design of feel-good rooms, McDonalds Aus-
tria trusts in wood wool acoustic solutions by the Carin-
thian company, Heradesign, for some of the eight restau-
rant designs developed by the famous French architect,
Philippe Avanzi.
The designers have chosen the Heradesign acoustic so-
lutions because of their fne and exceptional wood fbre
appearance and the outstanding sound absorption va-
lues of the Heradesign panels that consist of wood wool,
magnesite and water. Ursula Riegler, press spokeswo-
man of McDonalds Austria, emphasises the excellent
cooperation. We have been cooperating very well with
Heradesign throughout Europe for many years. Consis-
tently high and reliable product standards as well as the
very strong reliability as regards delivery make Heradesign
an important partner for us.
Guests at McDonalds Austria can test for themselves at any
time how the restaurants and McCafs sound with their
new look the acoustic solutions produced by Heradesign
in Austria have already been installed in McDonalds res-
taurants, for example in Innsbruck and Klagenfurt. In
this context it is worth mentioning that Heradesign uses
exclusively high quality spruce wood from Carinthia so
the Austrian countryside contributes to the special atmo-
sphere in the new McDonalds restaurants.
We are very pleased and proud that our products are not
The Heradesign acoustic solutions were chosen as the offcial product for modernising McDonalds restaurants coloured in choco-
late brown, they ft extremely well into the concept of fne materials and warm colours.
Heradesigns acoustic solutions make a considerable contribution to the atmosphere in the new McDonalds restaurants. Cosy lounges in the restaurant this is
what McDonalds Austria call their new McCafs, which are an inherent part of their modernisation campaign. The new appearance of McDonalds Austria is not
only limited to high quality coffee specialities and delicious international and typical Austrian cakes. No, its about a lot more than that.
Sophisticated caf atmosphere:
McDonalds Austria trusts Heradesign
only used in McDonalds restaurants in Germany, Switzer-
land and Spain, but also provide a pleasant atmosphere
here in Austria, says Matthias Francke, General Manager
of Heradesign. The new design is paying off; we are re-
cording a clear increase in turnover in these restaurants,
and our guests feel good, explains Ursula Riegler. And
also Austrias economy profts from this: in every redesign
we try to work together with regional and local partners
from architects to electricians. This way our investments in
Austria also create and protect jobs with our partners and
suppliers, stresses Riegler.
Not only McDonalds guests love the Heradesign acoustic
solutions. Also the installers are enthusiastic about them.
I prefer installing Heradesign acoustic solutions a lot
more than other materials. It is a clean product that can be
installed really easily. You get the feel of it very quickly
which makes handling even better. These solutions offer
varied design options as well as extremely good looking re-
sults, says Michael Hentsch from the company Katholnig.
In other words: the feel-good ambience is already created
upon installation.
Thanks to the sound-absorbing properties, the wood wool panels
provide for good acoustics and thus contribute to a pleasant atmos-
phere for all guests of this gastronomic market leader.
Michael Hentsch from the company Katholnig whilst enjoying a
relaxed coffee at the new McCaf in Klagenfurt, Austria.
Heradesign is a clean product that can be installed really easily.
3
How Heradesign superne
combines tradition and modern style
Heradesign Ceiling Systems meets many requirements. Combining old and new this often constitutes a challenge for the client as well as the planner. A sen-
sitive handling of the existing structure of the building and its character is required, and in doing so nevertheless using modern, functional materials in order
to satisfy modern day demands.
T
he realisation of the property Jena Tourist Informati-
on proves that this balancing act can work. The ticket
and souvenir shop, where a high customer frequency is to
be expected, trusts in a Heradesign ceiling system to meet
the demands on good acoustics. Here, the wood wool pa-
nels blend perfectly with the mix of materials in the excep-
tional building in the old town of Jena.
The monument as a challenge
A very special building project has been carried out in
the centre of Jena which now houses the tourist informa-
tion centre of the town. The building, which was already
constructed in the Middle Ages, is made up of two buil-
ding parts: the front building, whose front faces towards
the market, was built in 1384 and served as a storehouse;
the back part of the house is a residential annex dating
from 1435. The property, which had been unused for a long
time and was already dilapidated, was reverted to its ori-
ginal mediaeval state in 2002 and statically secured before
structural alteration work began. In 2006 the town council
decided to put the property to a new use by using funds
for the promotion of urban development and for the pre-
servation of historic buildings and monuments and with
help from the new owner, Kommunale Immobilien Jena
(KIJ) [Municipal Real Estate, Jena].
But how could old and new, the existing buildings and
todays needs be combined? The concept of the Limmer +
Otto architects offce focused on contemporary architec-
ture that would accentuate the old house in its full size and
historic importance. Glass and reinforced concrete were
chosen as the characterising materials.
The architectural concept is based on a delicate hand-
ling of the late-medieval building fabric and the creation
of an unobtrusive, pleasant contrast with the new mate-
rials, says architect Frank Otto. The two building parts
were connected by an atrium of glass and reinforced con-
crete, thereby creating a high, light-fooded room. A very
striking highlight on the outside towards the market is a
steel and glass faade with holographic optical elements
(HOE), which not only results in a light interior, but also
offers views from the outside to the inside.
Function and design
It was particularly the utilisation of the historic building
as a place to go for tourists and residents with daily atten-
dance by a considerable number of visitors that made high
demands on the design. Jena Tourist Information is the
central information and service point for guests and locals
and can be visited from the market square or through the
ticket and souvenir shop on Oberlauengasse lane. In order
to guarantee good acoustics in the sales area, a wood wool
ceiling system by Heradesign was installed.
With a sound absorption value W of up to 0.95, the ceiling
elements stand out with their excellent acoustic properties,
and are also impressive with their design and naturalness:
the designers intentionally relied on the structured char-
acter of wood wool panels on the ceiling since this way
they created a beautiful contrast with the smooth frieze.
Furthermore, the Heradesign superfne 25 mm with a
straight edge fts perfectly into the modern impression of
the material concept of steel, glass, exposed concrete and
plasterboard, which was deliberately kept unobtrusively
simple in order to not compete with the monument. In ad-
dition, the ceiling panels are an ecological building mate-
rial because they are exclusively made of wood, water and
magnesite. With this, Jena has a very special showpiece
not only for tourists.
Thanks to the good acoustic properties of the Heradesign superfne decorative panels used, the ceiling system offers a pleasant atmos-
phere at the ticket area even with crowds of people.
PROJECT DATA
Architect:
Architekturbro LIMMER + OTTO, Jena
Execution of construction work on the hologram faade:
Architekturbro robarchitects, Dresden

Execution of construction work on the interior design:
Architekturbro Kehr, Erfurt
Client:
Kommunale Immobilien Jena
Products:
Heradesign

superfne
Jena Tourist Information is an outstanding combination of old
and new and is, at the same time, an architectural gem in the
heart of the old town of Jena.
Property report Spring/Summer 2010
4
Property report Spring/Summer 2010
A spacious move in terms of work-life balance: The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Rostock has been offering its employees an in-house day care centre
for children since November 2009 and what a centre it is! Not only are there long opening hours and the possibility to discover a foreign language in a playful
way; also the indoor climate has been made perfect with Heradesign.
Playing and learning where parents work
T
he day care centre for children in the
immediate vicinity of the Faculty of
Medicine offers just over 100 places for
three crche groups and three kindergarten
groups and was designed as a new buil-
ding at the listed front part of a greenhouse
constructed in 1936. The greenhouse was
pulled down in 1999; only the clinkered
entrance structure with architectural de-
sign elements in the style of art deco was
preserved. The structural requirements
were particularly high. For the outside it
was necessary to preserve the listed entran-
ce area and to incorporate the original form
of the greenhouse.
It was the overall goal to fnd an outer buil-
ding form that would be distinctive and
unmistakable for children. In the buildings
interior it was important to the client not
to divide the premises into circulation are-
as and useful areas, but to make all open
areas playable and include them in the
utilisation for all the children. This was
enabled by the installation of two evacua-
tion slides from the upper foor, which to
the childrens great delight can not only
be used in an emergency, but are toys at the
same time. As a consequence, an extremely
open room structure could be created which,
however, required good soundproofng (at
the same time this is a very important re-
quirement of the kindergarten guidelines).
Quiet with Heradesign
The Heradesign superfne acoustic solutions
were used in all circulation areas, group
rooms as well as secondary group rooms.
The wood wool based products were
not only impressive due to their excel-
lent sound absorption values; also the fre
protection properties and the fact that the
Heradesign products are made up of pure-
ly ecological components were convincing
aspects. The wood wool appearance played
an important role when it came to choosing
a product. The wood wool structure ful-
ly corresponds to the clients wish that the
used materials should not have a bland of-
fce character, says architect Hass from
the HASS+BRIESE Architekten architects
offce and stresses the importance of pro-
duct and colour selection for the ceiling.
Small children spend a lot of time lying
on the foor and looking upwards there-
fore we not only implemented the complex
colour scheme on the foor, but also on the
ceiling and we also suggested foor hea-
ting. Carefully chosen lights installed in
the suspended ceiling complete the child-
friendly appearance. All in all, the suspen-
ded ceilings were placed on the solid cei-
ling like carpets.
Of course, in a feel-good day care centre
for children it is not only the building that
counts. Great importance was also attached
to the purchase of modern toys that stimu-
late childrens creativity as well as sophis-
ticated play equipment for outdoors. The
little earthlings can even let off steam in a
childrens sauna located in the outside area.
Klinikum Rostock day care centre for children at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rostock, Germany.
PROJECT DATA
Architect:
HASS+BRIESE Architekten,
Dipl.-Ing. Barbara Hass
Execution of construction work:
HASS+BRIESE Architekten
Client:
der Betrieb fr Bau und Liegenschaften
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Products:
Heradesign

superfne
5
Property report Spring/Summer 2010
Hear, hear!
T
he auditorium is the showpiece of the Erasmus Uni-
versity. Not only has it witnessed teaching at the high-
est academic level for about forty years; also well-known
Dutch politicians and even members of the royal family
have given lectures here. The colour and the special design
of the auditorium make the room a unique place. As the
auditorium is a listed property, it was a requirement of the
renovation work that no changes be made to the original
concept.
Thus the colouring was one of the defned goals and ob-
jectives in the renovation: the new ceiling was to have ex-
actly the same colour as before. Rob Taminiau, Technical
Manager of Heradesign Nederland, explains how it was
possible to defne the colour. We scanned panels of the
old ceiling and measured the colour. Only this way could
we be sure of using exactly the same colour.
As it was no longer possible to order the panels of the ori-
ginal ceiling, the acoustic solution of Heradesign superfne
turned out to be the best alternative when it came to choo-
sing the material and won the commission.
With that, the obstacle of visual
appearance could be successful-
ly overcome
But each building has its own architectural history, even
if it is protected, adds architect Gerard Frishert who was
responsible for the renovation work. In an earlier phase
of renovation, rows of seats in the auditorium were ex-
changed, which caused a change in the course of the foor.
This and also other changes brought about completely
new acoustics that did not meet todays requirements,
says Frishert. In particular in an auditorium, speakers and
the audience proft from outstanding acoustics as the au-
dibility and concentration are considerably increased here.
Architect Gerard Frishert sums it up: It was the special
challenge, after all previous renovation work, to get the
acoustics under control again. For me, the ceiling now per-
fectly unites the architectural and acoustic values of the
room.
The ceiling as an objet dart: Heradesign enables successful renovation of the ceiling in the auditorium of the Erasmus University Rotterdamm. And the special
feature of this achievement: the auditorium is a protected monument. Therefore, strict regulations applied for all the renovation work.
Colouring and design of the ceiling make the auditorium of the Erasmus University Rotterdam a special place.
6
Among students
In the Dutch city of Nijmegen, students have been living in the new students hall of residence De Gouverneur since the end of 2009. The client attached
great importance to fresh, modern architecture, which should at the same time convey a feeling of warmth and security. A challenge which the architect Jan
Decker solved in a unique way. Perfect room acoustics by means of the character-rich Heradesign natural materials.
Y
ou can imagine it like a small village.
At different times people come and go,
meanwhile they learn, work, but also relax
and communicate social networks are
created and cultivated. On the one hand
the occupants need peace and quiet so that
they can concentrate while learning and
working; but on the other hand they need
movement, atmosphere and inevitably
the noise level increases.
Across the entire height of the building,
the residential units are docked to a tri-
angular, glass-roofed atrium. The three
principal pillars of the atrium are linked
to each other as well as to all circulation
areas through a system of bridges. Thus a
structure with an open appearance that at
the same time offers privacy was created.
Most residential units in the De Gouver-
neur hall of residence have a size of 42
square metres, some are even 72 square
metres, and they are so fexibly designed
that smaller units can be joined together
without too much effort and cost.
Property report Spring/Summer 2010
7
Property report Spring/Summer 2010
195 student apartments
The planners relied on acoustic solutions
from Heradesign for the panelling of
the ceilings in the atrium (corridors and
bridges) as well as in the staircases for sev-
eral reasons. The Heradesign panels were
not only able to meet the very high de-
mands regarding fre behaviour and acous-
tic effect particularly in these areas which
serve as escape routes; also the fexibility
of the panels was a clear advantage becau-
se most acoustic solutions available on the
market are exclusively suited for use in sys-
tem ceilings, which were not a possibility
due to the storey height in the De Gouver-
neur hall of residence. Another argument
in favour of Heradesign is the impact resist-
ance of the wood wool panels.
Students are on the move; in particular at
universities with an international orienta-
tion this phenomenon is very distinct. To
sum up: there is a lot of moving in and out,
which leaves its mark. Wood wool panels
cope with that a lot better and are not so
delicate, says Jan Decker, AGS Architekten
en Planners. Also the design was a decisive
factor. When directly mounted on the con-
crete ceiling, in most ceiling systems the
screws remain prominently visible. Thanks
to the open wood wool structure this is not
the case with the Heradesign solution, ex-
plains Decker.

INFO BOX
Client: Stichting SSHN
Architect: Jan Decker,
AGS architekten en planners
Installation: MVT Binnenmontage BV,
Puifijk
Construction period: 22 Monate
Heradesign products:
Heradesign

fne, 1200 x 600 mm,

25 mm thick, AK01 edge, 3560 m
EXPRESSION: Which trends do you notice
in the materials?
Decker: Architects always curiously and
critically search for new materials, thereby
focussing strongly on technical functiona-
lity and design. An important trend that we
notice is that also with the materials for the
interior design the relation between sustai-
nability on the one hand and the environ-
ment/ecology on the other hand is increas-
ingly becoming the focus of attention.
EXPRESSION: How important are the
aspects of environment and sustainability to
you?
Decker: From our point of view, this so-
cietal development offers a new chance. A
chance to make our buildings even better.
The materialisation is, of course, also an
essential form of expression in interior de-
sign and the communication of identity.
EXPRESSION: Which role does the ceiling
play in the overall design of a building?
Decker: The ceiling is one of the essential
areas that determine the shape of a room
and is therefore an important element for
architecture.
The ceiling as an architectural means can
certainly keep pace with the foors and
the walls as regards aesthetics and spatial
features. Over the years, however, we have
steadily mutated the ceiling into a technol-
ogy shelter it houses almost all the tech-
nology in a building. In the past, the ceiling
was literally the high point of rooms; won-
derful paintings or stucco adorned a room.
In the course of history, however, the cei-
ling could no longer play this role, as func-
tionality and fexibility of the building be-
came very important factors infuencing
design.
We see though that a different trend is
slowly developing and that more and more
functions of the ceiling are being transfer-
red to other elements of the building, for
example to the building shell, or ceilings
and foors that are thermally activated as
a transmission and storage medium. This
way the ceiling becomes an architectur-
al design element again, which gives the
room its acoustic and aesthetic identity.
Products from Heradesign make this pos-
sible in a unique way!
Interview with Jan Decker:
8
Pestalozzi School in Leonberg
A pleasant learning atmosphere is very important for
children. Instead of the temporary classroom solution of
40 years ago, which was a makeshift addition to the main
building from the period of promoterism, the approxi-
mately 60 pupils with learning disabilities of the Pesta-
lozzi school in Leonberg are happy about classrooms
with a great and inviting atmosphere.
T
he SOMAA. architects offce designed a new building
that houses three classrooms and a specialist room and
this way put an end to the existing cramped space.
The architectural team, Tandawardaja and Bochmann, cre-
ated a strong pavilion of exposed concrete, which presents
itself as powerful and protecting towards the public. It is
not reminiscent of a school building and completely opens
out towards the existing old building on the side to the
valley. The building, which is built into a slope, keeps a
respectful distance from the existing old building; on the
side of the street it is completely closed and not perceptible
as such. The rough exposed concrete shell protects the core
and the roof becomes a green space that enables a view of
the valley and over the building.
When planning these premises, good acoustics that have
a positive infuence on the concentration and speech intel-
ligibility were essential. Furthermore, it was an important
concern to not only design suitable rooms for learning, but
to create an inviting, pleasant environment for the children
in what after all will make up the childrens centre of life
for some years. To achieve this, Hadi Tandawardaja and
Tobias Bochmann increasingly relied on colours in the in-
terior in a strong contrast with the shell of exposed con-
crete. As regards colours, the classrooms were designed
more unobtrusively than the corridors, which were given
special signifcance as important common areas. This is
emphasised by the spacious size and the large amount of
daylight there.
Heradesign this is what
acoustics look like!
To achieve an optimum atmosphere for learning, the
Heradesign acoustic solutions were used in the class-
rooms. As an overall appearance that is as homogenous
as possible was desired, the panels were installed in stag-
gered layers in a neutral white paint. The rough and na-
tural looking acoustic panels form a contrast to the bright
green linoleum foor and the varnished and latex painted
smooth and colourful walls. The contrast with the very
smooth surfaces emphasises the haptic charm of the wood
wool acoustic panels.
In addition, the material also relates to the outside of the
school building, the rough casing of exposed concrete.
The Heradesign acoustic solution not only meets all the
clients requirements as regards sound absorption, fre
protection and sustainability, but also our wishes in terms
of design and architecture. And best of all, this solution ft-
ted in well with the very tight budget, explains architect
Hadi Tandawardaja, obviously satisfed.
PROJECT DATA
Architect: SOMAA. Architekten + Gabi Dongus
Planning & design: SOMAA. Tobias Bochmann,
Hadi A. Tandawardaja
Construction management & coordination:
Gabi Dongus
Architectural team: Serpil Erden
Client: Stadt Leonberg
Installation : Fa. Hofstetter, Stuttgart-Botnang
Heradesign products:
Typ: Heradesign

superfne; colour: white; format: 1200

x 600 x 25 mm; installed in staggered layers (transverse
joints staggered); height of suspension: approx. 80-100
mm; installation height: approx. 2.90 m; edges: straight
edges, right-angled without bevel on all sides; joints: butt
joint without a gap.
Property report Spring/Summer 2010
9

I like it that its so quiet here...
(Jessica, eight years old)
I fnd the nets on the ceiling funny.
(Marvin, seven years old)
Property report Spring/Summer 2010
10
Interview Spring/Summer 2010
EXPRESSION: What philosophy do you as
an architect represent regarding design, ecolo-
gy and materials? Which materials do you like
to use and what current trends do you see?
Tandawardaja/Bochmann: The concept
of design is often understood wrongly and
is confused with stylish or trendy. Howe-
ver, we understand design in its original
meaning, namely as creation. So every cre-
ative decision that we make is design. De-
sign is most beautiful if it is not perceived
as such and carries no trademark. Nature is
therefore certainly one of the best designers
of all. Correspondingly, designing with na-
tural materials is again and again the same
challenge as designing with absolutely new
and innovative high-tech materials. Partic-
ularly in this respect we also see a big po-
tential for development: using traditional,
well-known materials by means of the la-
test technology in a new way and modifying
the materials ourselves to make them more
specifc, e.g. to use glass so that it can bear
loads, or make concrete seem transparent,
just to mention a few examples.
EXPRESSION: Which role or which em-
phasis has the ceiling when designing a pro-
perty? Has this role changed over the years?
If yes, how?
Tandawardaja/Bochmann: To the disap-
pointment of our built environment, the
ceiling is too often neglected in the design.
An exact analysis of the ceiling mostly hap-
pens much too late and merely for techni-
cal reasons when planning the installations
and the lights. Often the results are mere-
ly functional ceilings with an awful ceiling
plan, a mess of ventilation slots, lighting
and smoke detectors. This topic has cer-
tainly changed over the years because of
the constructional options available, but
also because of the increased technical re-
quirements.
When planning a vaulted ceiling, more
attention had, of course, to be paid to the
ceiling than today when the entire ceiling
can actually disappear behind plasterboard.
On the other hand, the technical require-
ments (installation routes, fre protection,
etc.) make it considerably more diffcult to
handle the bare structural ceiling in terms
of design. All in all, the ceiling has lost im-
portance on the one hand this is due to
the decreasing height of rooms nowadays,
which we had to experience during the last
century because of economic pressure; on
the other hand the ceiling lost its function
as a frequently picture covered bearer
of meaning; a function which was never ac-
quired to this extent by the foor. Therefore
the loss of signifcance appears even stron-
ger today.
EXPRESSION: Is the ceiling as a creative
element underestimated? Is it still unknown
as such?
Tandawardaja/Bochmann: With the
emergence of modernity, the ceiling was
freed of its function as a medium of signif-
icance and thus of its decorative elements.
Against the background of the aims of the
Bauhaus architecture, this was a logical and
completely justifable conclusion. However,
our architecture has not coped with this
loss without damage since the postwar era.
THE ARCHITECTS
Hadi A. Tandawardaja, Dipl. Ing. [qualifed engineer] architect, studied architecture at
the University of Stuttgart and at the EPFL Lausanne in Switzerland. He worked in in-
ternationally active offces in Spain and Germany. His works were shown, among others,
in the German Architecture Museum in Frankfurt and in the Max Planck Institute in
Munich. The buildings for which he was the project manager were nominated for the De-
sign Award of the Federal Republic of Germany and won the DDC Good Design Award.
Tobias Bochmann, Dipl. Ing. [qualifed engineer], studied architecture at the University
of Stuttgart and at the EPFL Lausanne. He won the student award of the Bavarian Archi-
tectural Association (ByAK) and the Baden-Wrttemberg Architectural Association and
was a scholarship holder of the German National Merit Foundation [Studienstiftung des
Deutschen Volkes]. As a project manager he built numerous award-winning single family
houses whilst working in previous offces and is an honorary lecturer at the Institute of
Housing and Design at the University of Stuttgart.
Interview with Hadi Tandawardaja and Tobias Bochmann
The room as one harmonious entity
11
Within the spirit of simplicity and reduc-
tion, the spatial quality which was possible
through ceiling design was not rediscovered.
The ceiling as a creative element is there-
fore by no means at all unknown; rather it
was neglected.
Not least for labour economic aspects that
aim at satisfying the wishes of a client
who is mainly interested in the functional
and economic foor plan organisation and,
where required, in the design of the vertical
areas the walls so unfortunately the cei-
ling is often put last in the planning.
EXPRESSION: Which trends do you noti-
ce in the role the ceiling plays (functionality,
purpose)?
Tandawardaja/Bochmann: Certainly we
can feel another trend for a ceiling aware-
ness. Even if it limits itself to niches at
frst, e.g. the area of retail architecture such
as the design of restaurants and bars, this
trend will defnitely fnd its way back to the
living room. Besides functionality and pur-
pose, which are limited to hiding wires and
plumbing, integrating light and room acou-
stics, but in this respect becoming more and
more comprehensive and sophisticated, the
ceiling as a design element is certainly beco-
ming more important again. This trend can
probably be less explained because of tech-
nical achievements than because of cultural
phenomena. Thus we are working in a time
of global style which, negatively expressed,
can be called a global hotchpotch that has
no more local identity. However, positively
expressed it also means that we are in-
spired by the achievements of other cultures
where in architecture to a certain degree far
more importance is attached to the ceiling
than in our culture.
Another aspect is the current conversion
of existing buildings. Here we are required
and forced to take the ceiling into account.
EXPRESSION: Which trends do you noti-
ce in the materials for ceilings?

Tandawardaja/Bochmann: Basically, we
can see two trends. Reduce to the max: The
ceiling is as far as possible reduced to
its natural, two-dimensional element. It re-
mains visible as a bare ceiling, the structure
and materiality remain visible and systems
can be used that, despite high demands on
acoustics, etc., can be absolutely fat, homo-
genous and with no gaps.
The designed ceiling: The room is under-
stood as one homogenous entity. Thus the
same importance is given to the ceiling as to
the other areas that limit the room. Here the
design of the ceiling is of importance again.
No limits are set to the roles of materials.
There is an absolute demand for fexible
modular systems that enable a larger range
of designs than the conventional 60/60 pla-
sterboard grid ceiling. Thus in addition to its
standard programme, the industry should
strive for tailor-made solutions, follow the
trends and react accordingly.
Ceiling quo vadis?
SOMAA.
SOMAA. works at the interface between ar-
chitecture, the culture of communication and
urbanism. Headquartered in Stuttgart and
with a partner offce in Barcelona, the offce
works interdisciplinarily with qualifed ar-
chitectural planners and an open team con-
sisting of other designers and architects. For
further projects, see www.somaa.de.
PARTNERS:
Architects
Dipl. Ing. Hadi A. Tandawardaja,
Dipl Ing. Tobias Bochmann
Interview Spring/Summer 2010
12
Products Spring/Summer 2010
Heradesign Ceiling Systems proves
its innovativeness
Trend Acoustic Plus
sound absorption up to class A
F
our years ago, Heradesign was the worlds frst and
only supplier to bring a non-combustible wood wool
panel Heradesign fne A2 onto the market, which could
be classifed in the reaction to fre class A2-s1,d0. Now the
product which perfectly combines design and function in
fre-stressed wall and ceiling areas has been further de-
veloped. The non-combustible design of the natural wood
wool panel makes it ideal for all felds of application with
a particularly high demand for design and acoustic pro-
perties and where, at the same time, attention has to be
paid to reliable fre protection. Airports, railway stations
or large function rooms with a high noise level and strict
fre protection regulations serve as good examples for this.
With the previous A2 version of the wood wool panel, plan-
ners were strictly bound to defned formats, thicknesses,
edge designs and colours, but the new product generation
has many more options to choose from. From 2010 on, as
well as the Heradesign fne A2 version (25 mm), also the
Heradesign superfne with its fne fbrous surface struc-
ture is available in A2 quality (25 mm). Furthermore, an
extended range for all A2 products is available as regards
edge designs and colours also metallic colours will be
possible.
The Heradesign Trend Acoustic Plus series is a new
product concept with a focus on highly absorbent
wood wool acoustic solutions. They are particularly
well suited for areas with a very high demand on
sound absorption up to sound absorption class A.
The products are installed by screw mounting on
wooden laths or insertion installation in T-sections
(SK 04).
Lots of colour and design versions, even bright pink, are
available within the new product range of non-combusti-
ble wood wool panels. New: From now on, the wood wool
acoustic solutions are also available with the fne fbrous
surface structure of the Heradesign superfne.
A2 wood wool panels offer safe fre protection and design-
oriented ceiling structures, such as in the Pestalozzi school
in Schwbisch Gmnd, Germany.
The product programme of non-combustible acoustic solutions has been extended: the Heradesign superfne is now also available in A2 quality.
Heradesign

superfine A2
T
here are rooms that require the acoustics to be
optimised, but that are not suitable for mounting
suspended ceilings; for example, rooms in which the
ceiling houses integrated heat storage systems or
where various cables (air conditioning, cable trays)
or cable tracks are attached to the ceiling. Or it may
be desired for architectural reasons that the original
ceiling remains visible.
The Heradesign baffes are an ideal compromise in
this respect. Baffes have a 25 mm thick mineral wool
core that is surrounded by wood wool elements on
both sides. The combination of wood wool and min-
eral wool allows excellent absorption values in a
wide frequency range to be achieved.
Besides leaving the ceiling visible, the baffes have
other advantages as well: in production halls they
can be suspended selectively and relatively far down
in order to ensure intense sound absorption in foc-
used areas, e.g. directly above loud machines, with-
out impairing the operability of equipment. Another
advantage is that the baffes have wood wool panels
on both sides.
Thanks to their special shape, the baffes offer
unique options for design and are therefore very po-
pular among many architects for use as design ele-
ments in schools and public buildings. In summary:
the Heradesign baffes are sound absorbers with an
eye-catching effect.
The baffes are available with Heradesign fne and
superfne surfaces, with the dimensions 1200 x 300
and 600 x 300 mm (57 mm thickness).
They are provided with a galvanised metal frame
and can also be used in reaction to fre class A2-s1,d0
(non-combustible).
Acoustic solutions that create an end-to-end ceiling area are not always possible or required.
Baffes vertically suspended acoustic elements provide a solution.
Heradesign Bafes: Sound absorbers as eye-catchers
13
Heradesign ceiling panels: The new
application for the best room acoustics
E
verybody who has ever worked in an open-plan offce
knows the following scenario: one or even more teams
work in one room together. There are phone calls, mee-
tings and arguments at different volumes; doors are ope-
ned and closed; people come and go. What was originally
aimed to be of beneft to team work and effciency (short
communication channels) has negative effects on peoples
concentration and performance.
And this phenomenon is not limited to open-plan offces
also in larger meeting rooms or at advice and informa-
tion points in larger halls the concentration rapidly de-
clines due to background noises.
The Heradesign ceiling panels have been designed espe-
cially for this purpose: an individual optimisation of acou-
stics by means of which speech intelligibility and concetra-
tion improve considerably. However, the ceiling panels are
more than just acoustic solutions.
Everybody who has ever worked in an open-plan offce
knows the following scenario: one or even more teams work
in one room together. There are phone calls, meetings and
arguments at different volumes; doors are opened and clo-
sed; people come and go. What was originally aimed to be
of beneft to team work and effciency (short communica-
tion channels) has negative effects on peoples concentra-
tion and performance.
And this phenomenon is not limited to open-plan offces
also in larger meeting rooms or at advice and information
points in larger halls the concentration rapidly declines due
to background noises. The Heradesign ceiling panels have
been designed especially for this purpose: an individual op-
timisation of acoustics by means of which speech intelligibi-
lity and concentration improve considerably. However, the
ceiling panels are more than just acoustic solutions.
Heradesign now also offers its wood wool acoustic solutions in the form of ceiling panels. For pleasant working conditions in large premises whilst being able
to concentrate on the essentials (again).
Products Spring/Summer 2010
14
Products Spring/Summer 2010
Heradesign shows how it works
If you can see it you can understand it. Heradesign offers installation videos for the correct installation of the acoustic solutions.
At the end of April, Knauf Insulation and Heradesign invited architects and designers from renowned offces in Poland to an informal get-together in Tyrol.
As well as the proven Technical Manual, a Heradesign
guide in booklet format with instructions for the optimum
processing of its products, the manufacturer of acoustic so-
lutions now also offers a series of user videos.
The installation videos really go into detail and show
steps which need to be explained a lot more clearly and
understandably than would actually be possible with text
and pictures, says Stefan Knigs, Head of Product Man-
agement at Heradesign.
The frst series of installation videos shows the professi-
onal installation of acoustic panels on wooden laths, the
processing with T-sections and CD-sections, the mounting
of ceiling panels and the attachment of acoustic panels
to the wall. The DVD, available in the formats PAL and
NTSC, contains all fve videos in German, English, French,
Dutch, Polish and Spanish. The installation videos can also
be found at www.heradesign.com under Service & FAQ.
The DVD with the installation videos can of course also be
ordered simply send an e-mail to offce@heradesign.com
or call 0043 / 4245 2001 3003.
The Heradesign installation videos this is how the professionals do it
New Heradesign T-Track System
Networking with top architecture rms
I
n 2010, Heradesign will extend its product range by
system parts which, adapted to the Heradesign acous-
tic solutions, enable the installers to optimally process
the Heradesign products. It is important to us to offer
our customers a one-stop shop solution whereby we
not only guarantee continuous high quality, but invol-
ve our advisory skills even more, too, says Matthias
Francke, General Manager of Heradesign.
Heradesign T-Track System for
visible and concealed systems
From now on, Heradesign also offers a complete system
solution for suspended ceilings for mounting on T-tracks.
The programme is based on products by Richter System
and includes CLIX main and cross sections (T24 and T35),
wall angles (angles and stepped angles) and Twist vernier
quick hangers and hangers.
Heradesign Screws
For the optimum attachment of wood wool acoustic so-
lutions Heradesign offers its own screws. These dry-wall
screws are rust protected and serve to attach one-layer
acoustic panels to wooden and metal substructures (up
to a wall thickness of 0.6 mm). The standard Heradesign
screws are designed with blue passivation, partial thread
and Torx T20 section. The 50 mm screw is also available
with the screw head painted in white.
T
he aim was to socialise and present the Knauf Insu-
lation and Heradesign options and solutions. The
social programme included skiing the participants
spent the last beautiful days of the 2010 skiing season on
glaciers near Innsbruck. The event was a real success.
The mood was great, and we met some very interesting
new contacts that will surely help us progress, says
Romuald Wilk, Sales Manager of Heradesign Poland.
15
Campus Spring/Summer 2010
Campus at Heradesign
Acoustics and design have to be learnt
Heradesign has opened its training centre, Campus. Since April 2010, there have been training sessions at the Campus for Heradesign employees, partners and
clients. The topics to be dealt with range from wood wool production and the product range to the correct handling of Heradesign products.
Acoustic solutions made
of wood wool are not a
mass product
I
f you not only want to provide a room
with excellent acoustics but also with a
special design, then choose Heradesign
Ceiling Systems with acoustic effect. A
good choice!
But to achieve an optimum effect both
in room acoustics and in design, natural
products like Heradesign require certain
care and attention, says Andreas Blmel,
Product and Project Manager at the new
Heradesign Campus. The proper handling
of the Heradesign system therefore has to
be learnt. This is why Heradesign has inve-
sted in a modern training centre where its
own employees will be trained to become
acoustic consultants and to convey a pro-
found knowledge of room acoustics and
the correct handling of Heradesign pro-
ducts to partners and customers.
Blmel continues, Of course, we not only
pass on theoretical and practical school
knowledge, but lots of tips and tricks on
how to achieve perfect acoustic and design
solutions with Heradesign.
Acoustics made of
wood wool innite
design options
Speaking of seeing: The basic idea of the
Campus is to impart knowledge at the
construction site. It is a particular con-
cern for Heradesign to not only convey the
theory. Therefore, the participants take the
things in hand themselves in the specifcal-
ly ftted premises: handling the wood wool
panels, cutting to size, screwing together
after the training, the participants will
know all these processes not only from the
installation videos but also from frst hand.
In the Campus courses, Heradesign also
shows the large variety of design options.
Meanwhile we have a wide range of acous-
tic solutions that we offer all together as a
system, explains Stefan Knigs, Head of
Product Management at Heradesign. We
give an overview of the different hanging
and mounting systems for walls and cei-
lings, and there is also a lot of busy tin-
kering going on here. Matthias Francke,
General Manager of Heradesign, adds, At
the same time we want to show how fan-
tastic acoustics can look: from the kind of
installation and unique design solutions
such as ceiling panels which optimise the
acoustics in a focused part of the room, to
vertically suspended baffes that give the
acoustics a totally different appearance.
Acoustics what an
effect a room has on
the ears
The Heradesign acoustic solutions make
an essential contribution to the improve-
ment of the ambience of a room. This is not
only ensured by the high quality and warm
character of the wood wool structure of the
surface, but also the outstanding sound ab-
sorption values of the products. The ques-
tion of why someone feels good in a room
often renders answers that have something
to do with colours, light or size. However,
feeling good is only seldom attributed to
acoustics, tells Blmel enthusiastically.
Acoustics and their effects are present all
the time and everywhere but there is still
need of explanation for the fact that good
acoustics can have a positive infuence on
the ambience of a room.
Acoustics is a highly complex science. At
the Heradesign Campus we therefore aim
to make acoustics visible, comprehensible
and audible with the help of examples and
hands-on training and to make the partici-
pants sensitive to the importance of acou-
stics.
Knigs says, We want to eliminate mis-
understandings as well as fear as regards
acoustics and thereby focus on questions
such as: How do acoustics result and how
are they measured? From which point are
acoustics felt as being good? Afterwards
we show how the acoustics in rooms can be
optimised with our products. Also in this
area we convey basic knowledge and some
rules of thumb.
INFO BOX
Since April 2010, the training sessions at
the Heradesign Campus have been offered
in English and German, and are tailored to
the needs of the participants. The number
of participants is limited to 20 people per
training event.
More information on the Heradesign
Campus is available from:
Andreas Blmel, Product and Project
Manager of Heradesign Campus
Phone: 0043 4245 2001 3289
E-mail: andreas.bluemel@heradesign.com
The participants of the frst training at the Heradesign Campus acoustics and design have to be learnt!
16
Published by:
Heradesign Ceiling Systems
A business unit of
Knauf Insulation GmbH
Ferndorf 29, A 9702 Ferndorf
Phone +43/4245-2001 3003
Fax +43/4245-2001 3499
www.heradesign.com
ofce@heradesign.com
Edited by: Filip Miermans,
Marketing and Communication
Photos by: Heradesign,
Pestalozzi-School: Patricia Neligan
& SOMAA. Architects, 2010,
Heradesign Ceiling Systems
Design by:
Die1ns, Klagenfurt, www.die1ns.com
Typesetting and printing
errors excepted.
Copyright:
Heradesign Ceiling Systems
All rights reserved.
IMPRINT
Course on acoustics consultancy
The new course on acoustics consultancy, which the employees of Heradesign and WeGo successfully completed, enables new customer consultations.
Heradesign broadens the competence of its own sales representatives and those of WeGo Systembaustoffe GmbH, one of the most important trade partners of
Heradesign in Germany, through a unique training campaign.
A course on acoustics
consultancy the ace up
your sleeve in sales
These days, consultations in the feld of
ceiling systems are totally different to what
they were in the past. In addition to design
and the green aspect, the topic of acoustics
is increasingly becoming the focus of atten-
tion. And general knowledge is no lon-
ger enough here, explains Achim Nolle,
Heradesign Sales Manager for Germany,
Austria and Switzerland and founder of
the course on acoustics consultancy.
The course on acoustics consultancy was
conceived together with the acoustics con-
The participants of the frst part of the course on acoustics consultancy: more competent than ever and ready to tackle the job thanks to knowledge of acoustics.
sultancy frm Mller-BBM GmbH from
Planegg near Munich. Mller-BBM GmbH
is one of the leading engineering compa-
nies which gives consultancies, tests (for
example sound absorption) and plans in
the felds of infrastructural structures,
buildings, environment, products, etc. The
course on acoustics consultancy consists of
fve modules. The frst four modules are
taught on the premises of Mller-BBM; the
last module, which is rather practice-orien-
ted, is held at the Campus, the new compe-
tence and training centre of Heradesign in
Ferndorf (Carinthia, Austria).
Dr. Eckard Mommertz from Mller-BBM
says, We want to eliminate misunderstand-
ings as well as fear as regards acoustics and
thereby focus on questions such as: How
do acoustics result and how are they mea-
sured? From which point are acoustics felt
as being good? What infuences acoustics?
Acoustics is a highly complex phenome-
non, it is science per se and therefore a topic
where there are only a few people who can
join in a conversation at a professional le-
vel, continues Nolle. It was therefore very
important for us to give our sales team a de-
tailed insight into acoustics for them to di-
stinguish themselves from our competitors
by competence and expertise for the beneft
of our customers, adds Dirk Rombach, Pro-
duct Manager of Ceiling Systems at WeGo
Systembaustoffe GmbH, who considerably
contributed to the concept of the course.