Oak panels have been used to boost the acoustic performance of a church in Pontefract, Yorkshire and help it overcome funding issues.
When it was established in 1955, the Pontefract Central Methodist Church was given funding on the grounds that it could be easily converted into a cinema, meaning that a ticket office, organ pit, curtained stage and other sound absorbent surfaces were included in its design.
These led to acoustic troubles at the church, meaning that hymn singing, choral groups, bands and other community events could not be easily staged.
To tackle this, retired architect and congregation member Derek Curtis designed a refurbishment using oak veneered walls and ceilings and sliding wooden panels that help cover sound absorbent surfaces and create a performance space at the church.
“[Mr Curtis] is so passionate about the church and this is why it was a really extraordinary project to work on,” said Stephanie France, managing director of FP Construction, which carried out bespoke joinery work at the church.
“The building performs a variety of functions for a mix of generations and interests so the facilities had to work for everyone.”
