Developed by the Christchurch City Council as a central community hub, the Te Pou ToeToe Linwood Pool houses a 25-metre pool, deep-water Manu pool, family spa, learn-to-swim areas, a kitchen, community rooms, outdoor gathering area, and multi-use tennis courts.

The community played a large role in the $22 million dollar complex, helping to bring it to life by submitting their wish list for the facility to the Council. The project was completed in 2021 and was relatively straightforward, however, it didn’t come without its hurdles.

Comfortech were thrilled to be brought in on the community-focused project during the early stages of the design process, supporting with a ceiling solution for the aquatic centre that could withstand the high moisture environment and stand the test of time.

The Comfortech team were challenged to find a suitable product for the space, and after collaborating with manufacturer and supplier, Renhurst, they chose a product known for its excellent acoustic benefits and ability to control moisture — the Renhurst RippleSound ceiling.

These ceilings feature in aquatic centres across the globe, and although they are designed with high moisture and corrosive environments in mind, the ceiling needs to meet specific installation requirements to ensure longevity.

Generally, a polythene vapour barrier which is a key part of the Renhurst Ceiling system isolates the vulnerable steel suspension systems for both the ceiling and other mechanical services from the corrosive pool environment. In this instance, the vapour barrier was left out and the Ripple Sound Ceiling works effectively with an efficient HVAC system to manage the pool environment.

RippleSound is also perfect for this space due to its acoustic benefits, achieving a reverberation and an NRC of 0.70 and above. By introducing a thermal insulation at the ceiling level, RippleSound can also considerably reduce heating and cooling costs over the life of a building. The system assists in improving internal lighting and minimises dust build up, too.