Background
Anderson Acoustics was commissioned by McLaughlin & Harvey to provide acoustic consultancy advice and construction noise monitoring services for this new £12m mixed-use development on Northcote Road, Wandsworth.
When completed, the development will provide a library (Building A1), community hall and facilities to replace Chatham Hall with residential flats above (Building A2), and a further building, flats, and retail units with residential above (Building B1).
What we did
Brought on in 2021, we have been involved in both phases of the scheme. Phase 1 works included the demolition of Chatham Hall, as well as the construction of the new library, community centre, nursery and residential building.
Phase 2 involves the demolition of the existing library and the construction of the new retail and residential building (Building B1) on the old library site.
The purpose of our support was to ensure the design achieves the requirements of Building Regulations Approved Document E (ADE), and achieves acoustic related BREEAM credits (Hea05 and Pol05). At RIBA Stage 5 we also looked to establish value engineering opportunities where possible and conducted a scheme of pre-completion sound insulation testing.
Chatham Hall site
- Acoustic design advice
We provided acoustic design advice for the Library and Community Hall new build to establish acoustic performance requirements and ensure the design would achieve all 3 BREEAM credits under Hea05 (sound insulation, indoor ambient noise level and room acoustics) and one credit under BREEAM Pol05 (reduction of noise pollution).
The building was targeting a BREEAM 2018 for New Construction Rating system “Excellent” rating for the community hall and library elements of the scheme.
Our recommendations included:-
- bespoke acoustic treatments for air source heat pump enclosures and screening plus other attenuation treatments for other plant items
- glazing specifications and balcony finishes
- sound insulating ceilings
- curtain wall detailing
- separating walls specification
- vibration isolation to control the potential transfer of structure borne noise generated by building services equipment
We produced a detailed 3D environmental noise model for the development to predict the cumulative noise break out from the proposed plant installations, when assessed at the nearby noise sensitive areas
- Acoustic commissioning testing
The pre-completion acoustic commissioning testing that we undertook for both the Library and Community Centre aimed to determine whether the design targets are achieved on site.
For BREEAM Credit POL05 the purpose of the testing was to demonstrate that the installed building services equipment which serve the Community Centre and Library achieve the proposed acoustic performance criteria.
For BREEAM Credits HEA05, a programme of sound insulation testing, reverberation time, internal ambient noise level and measurements was undertaken in sample rooms. In addition to this, measurements were taken of building service plant located externally around the site.
Northcote library site
- Acoustic design advice
We have guided the acoustic design of the retail and residential elements of this building to RIBA Stage 5.
We reviewed the Stage 4 design to establish acoustic performance requirements to comply with Approved Document E of Building Regulation and Employer’s Requirements (Exemplar Design).
A plant noise impact assessment (for plant associated with the residential units) has been carried out to ensure a low noise impact in accordance with BS 4142: 2014.
Pre-completion testing shall be carried out to demonstrate that bespoke acoustic performance standards are achieved.
- Construction monitoring
We are currently on site providing construction noise, vibration and dust monitoring and weekly monitoring reports for Phase 2 works.
Project Progress
The new library opened its doors in May 2023. The dedicated and enhanced children’s section amongst other new features have been positively received by the Community.
We look forward to seeing the completion of Phase 2 scheduled for later this year.
