Achieving optimal classroom acoustics across the Australian International School and European International School campuses in Ho Chi Minh City required addressing two distinct construction contexts simultaneously. The renovation of existing buildings, covering early learning classrooms and play areas, primary and secondary classrooms, dance and drama rooms, music rooms, and lounge and examination areas, imposed specific acoustic constraints linked to the limitations of existing structures. In parallel, the construction of new high-quality workshops and laboratories dedicated to science and handcrafting introduced a different set of requirements, where acoustic performance could be integrated from the earliest design stages. Across both contexts, the classroom noise level had to be carefully managed so that activities within each space remained fully operational without disturbing adjacent environments, across four distinct campuses: Thu Thiem, Lotus and Cherry Blossom for the Australian International School, and the European International School Campus.
We provided acoustic consultancy and permanent support throughout the entire project lifecycle, from the construction drawings phase through the construction process to final acceptances. Our scope covered assessments of reverberation, impact noise and airborne sound insulation across all educational spaces, along with recommendations developed in close coordination with OUT2 DESIGN as architectural partner. We used advanced acoustic simulation tools to assess reverberation and sound propagation across each space type, ensuring that noise control classroom solutions were tailored to the specific requirements of performance spaces, science laboratories, workshops and standard teaching classrooms within the programme. Our role extended beyond study delivery to include continuous on-site support to the client and contractor during construction, ensuring that acoustic recommendations were correctly interpreted and implemented at every stage across both the renovation and new-build components of the project.
The acoustic design of schools programme contributed to creating high-quality learning environments across four campuses where educational activities can be conducted at the highest level without acoustic interference between adjacent spaces. Reverberation times, impact noise performance and airborne sound insulation levels were brought within the appropriate ranges for each space type, supporting speech intelligibility, musical performance quality and learning comfort for students of all age groups across both the Australian International School and European International School. Designing acoustic environments where children and teenagers can learn, create and develop is always demanding work, and this project is a strong example of how rigorous acoustic consultancy can transform both renovated and newly built spaces into places where academic life genuinely thrives.
