Wingaru Building
Acoustic Excellence for Modern Learning at Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview
Saint Ignatius’ College in Riverview, Sydney, has unveiled the Wingaru building, a cutting-edge facility designed to advance education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and PDHPE. This landmark project reflects the College’s commitment to academic excellence, student well-being, and sustainable design—creating an inclusive environment for its students.
Celebrating Indigenous Heritage
Designed by PMDL Architects in consultation with First Nations Elders, Wingaru—meaning “to think” in the Cammeraygal language—honours the site’s Indigenous heritage. This cultural narrative is embedded throughout the design, fostering reflection and connection.
Architectural Highlights
At the heart of Wingaru is a three-storey atrium that connects world-class learning spaces, including thirteen science classrooms, technology workshops, and dedicated areas for pastoral care and cultural engagement.
Delivering an optimal acoustic environment was critical to supporting learning outcomes. Classrooms and laboratories required high-performance ceiling systems to control reverberation, improve speech clarity, and reduce distractions—especially in labs with hard surfaces. The atrium posed an additional challenge: managing sound within a large volume while preventing noise transfer to adjacent spaces.
Acoustic Engineer Daniel Firth of PKA Acoustic Consulting explains:
“We wanted to ensure the atrium maintained a controlled reverberation time and that noise transfer to occupied spaces was minimised.”
The building’s exterior also faced rigorous structural demands. The project required external wall systems capable of withstanding high wind pressures and accommodating tall wall heights – specifically the 5.5m roof plant wall – demanding a framing solution that was structurally robust and fully compliant with Australian standards for wind and seismic loads.
To achieve superior acoustic performance, a range of CSR Himmel solutions were installed:
Ecophon Focus™ A Acoustic Ceiling Tiles
Installed in classrooms and labs, these glasswool tiles deliver an NRC of 0.85 and CAC of 21, ensuring excellent sound absorption and speech intelligibility. Paired with the Rondo DUO® Exposed Ceiling Grid, the system offers easy installation, demountability, and a clean, durable finish.
For the building envelope, the Rondo MAXIframe® System was specified to meet structural demands, including high wind pressures and tall wall heights. Using 92mm and 150mm steel studs with back-to-back configurations, the system ensures compliance with Australian standards for wind and seismic loads.
Woven Image EchoPanel® 24mm Custom Acoustic Baffles
In the atrium, EchoPanel® 24mm custom acoustic baffles deliver the highest sound
Ken Cai, Project Manager at Goal Interior, praised the collaboration:
“The products were straightforward to work with, and CSR provided excellent technical support throughout. We’re very pleased with the final result.”
Why Choose Himmel for Acoustic Solutions?
Himmel offers innovative acoustic products designed for education, commercial, and public spaces. From ceiling tiles to acoustic panels and baffles, our solutions combine performance, sustainability, and design flexibility.
Explore our full range of acoustic solutions for education projects. Contact us today to learn more.
Architect: PMDL Architecture + Design Acoustic Engineer: PKA Acoustic Consulting
Builder: Belmadar Partition, Ceiling and Cladding Contractor: Goal Interior
Photographer: Justin Mackintosh
Product Details:
- Ecophon Focus™ A Acoustic Ceiling Tiles
- Rondo DUO® 24mm Exposed Ceiling Grid
- Woven Image EchoPanel® 24mm Custom Acoustic Baffles
- Woven Image EchoPanel® 12mm
- Himmel Aluminium Skirting
- Rondo MAXIframe® System with 92mm and 150mm Steel Studs, Slotted Deflection Head Tracks and Top Hats
