Loughborough College Sports Hub
As part of Loughborough College’s £35 million campus development programme, Lawford Bespoke Joinery was commissioned to deliver a comprehensive package of bespoke joinery for the College’s new state-of-the-art teaching and sports facility.
Where Design Meets Detail.
This innovative building has been designed to set new standards in sports education, combining energy efficiency, sustainability, and high-quality craftsmanship. Our team worked closely with the architect and project acoustician to create custom solutions that enhance both the visual and acoustic performance of the building’s key interior spaces.
Acoustic Design Collaboration.
At the heart of our work was the oak-faced birch plywood acoustic wall panelling, designed to achieve Class C acoustic performance, reducing reverberation and improving sound clarity within the large open hall.
Over 100 wall panel sections, in three sizes, were produced from oak-faced birch ply — with the largest panels measuring 2800 × 1200 mm. Each of these central panels contained approximately 11,500 precisely spaced 8 mm perforations, CNC-machined.
Once machined, each panel was cleaned, finished, and sent to L&M Sprayers for application of a fire-retardant lacquer, before returning to our workshop for fitting of acoustic black fabric backing.
The result: a visually striking and acoustically optimised wall system that complements the hall’s contemporary architecture while meeting demanding performance standards.
Additional Joinery Elements.
Beyond the feature panelling, we also produced a range of custom-built components across the facility, including:
IPS Ducting Panel Frames, Vanity Units, and Shower Cubicles – finished in Loughborough College’s signature purple, precision-machined from oversized sheet materials to suit the tall ceiling heights and exacting specifications.
Oak iPad Housings – compact wall-mounted enclosures located outside classrooms.
Oak TV Screen Protectors – three recessed protective frames integrated seamlessly into the sports hall walls.
Accoya External Seating – slatted seating installed over the exterior steps, combining weather resistance, comfort, and visual consistency with the building’s design language.
Every element was handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail and treated for fire safety compliance.