Modern bus station interior with high ceilings, red and gray walls, digital information screens, and wooden benches. Bright lighting illuminates the space, with a long corridor visible in the background. Signage with numbers hangs from the ceiling. Large entrance doors are visible to the left bringing daylight into to the terminal.

Cardiff Bus Interchange

Project: Cardiff Interchange, Bus Fit Out

Segment: Additional areas, Terminals

Country/city: United Kingdom, Cardiff

Main contractor: ISG

Sub-contractor: SAM Drylining

Architect: BDP (Building Design Partnership)

Installer: SAM Drylining

Photographer: Phil Boorman

Project size: 500m²

Designed by Gemma Jones at BDP (Building Design Partnership) the new Cardiff Interchange Terminal, for the Transport for Wales features a large number of Ecophon Solo™ Rectangle rafts in the main concourse. The project is an example of how great teamwork can give impressive results.

With safety concerns and environmental factors, such as wind loading, additional fixing solutions were implemented to the Solo Rectangle rafts. In addition to the standard Connect Adjustable wire hanger and Connect Absorber anchor method, a secondary with Main Runners as per M406 Alt2, however, using rigid angle hangers screwed to the sides of the Main runners rather than wire hangers as shown. This meant that when the front sliding doors opened no amount of wind would dislodge the rafts, complying with the important safety measures needed for a public space.

Due to the large scale of this project Ecophon's laser projection service was used to complete the setting out process. Our technical team worked alongside the contractor, ISG & SAM Drylining, to prepare the plans for the panel layout. This involved placing the location of the fixing points directly into the initial design drawings, the drawings were then uploaded into the projection unit, ready for projection.

For a process that would normally involve fixing points being hand marked on the ceiling, the Ecophon laser projection service makes this job five times faster than the traditional method, as well as ensuring accuracy.

“Ecophon providing a setting out service with their new laser equipment made the coordination with our Mechanical and electrical services much easier, taking only days to set out the hangers instead of weeks.” Ian Lewis, Project Manager, ISG.