With a design concept inspired by nature and patterns found in DNA structures, the new Taronga Institute of Science and Learning centre is truly unique in shape and finishes both externally and internally. The auditorium and atrium were two areas within the new institute that required bespoke acoustic solutions. Animals and plant life were two central themes which inspired the design of a customised Autex Frontier ceiling baffle system.

The Autex design team lead by Senior Designer Jonathan Mountfort ascertained early in the project that there was going to be some tricky details that would require bespoke product and purpose-made fastenings and hangers.

For the grand two storey auditorium, a Frontier feature was designed based on a ribbon concept. The design was simplified into a series of Trapezoid shapes to create the aesthetic of a ribbon without kinks; this slight change of shape gave a dramatic effect to the ceiling space. The design layout was simple yet effective and made for easy installation.

A secondary Frontier feature spanned over 40m in length, reflecting a natural abstract form similar to a backbone. The unique shape of the curling corridor and two directional raking ceilings created a complex structure to fix to. For this, the design team created a custom two-part aluminium hinge to fix the outer fins in place, allowing them to sit perpendicular with the ground. In the centre of the feature, large black powder coated Frontier channels were used in combination with modified hangers to suspend the large ‘V’ fins and keep them aligned with the rest of the design. By utilising different lengths of fins and spacing intervals, the acoustics would be tuned and controlled more consistently within the space.

The finished results are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Mountfort says that Autex's ability to take their standard products, reshape and adjust them to suit the client’s brief as well as offering in-house design is exceptional, “As the manufacturer, designer and point of contact with the architect, we are able to better customise the whole process all the way through from conception to completion, with an intimate understanding of the material right from the beginning.”