Background
Staines Library, located in the Elmsleigh Centre, Staines-upon-Thames, underwent a major internal refurbishment to modernise its facilities. The project was commissioned by Surrey County Council and delivered by Neilcott Construction, with acoustic consultancy provided by Anderson Acoustics.
The refurbishment focused on the internal fabric, with no changes to the building envelope. Key spaces included flexible meeting rooms, museum and library spaces, offices, and support areas.
What We Did
Acoustic Assessment & Strategy
We reviewed the RIBA Stage 3 requirements, proposed alternative performance standards where site constraints limited compliance, and developed an acoustic strategy to achieve suitable conditions.
This included:
- Raising an alternative performance standard for indoor ambient noise level (IANL) due to existing noise ingress via the building envelope as no upgrades to this were proposed;
- Specifying robust sound insulation for partitions, doors, and moveable walls, with detailed junction and flanking sound control;
- Specifying sound absorbent finishes to achieve reverberation time targets for key spaces;
- Outlining noise control measures for building services, including attenuators and vibration isolation for mechanical equipment.
Challenges
- Existing Building Envelope – No upgrades were proposed to the external fabric or ventilation strategy, limiting the achievable internal ambient noise levels. The measured internal noise exceeded some Stage 3 targets, requiring pragmatic adjustments to standards;
- Open Plan & Flanking Transmission – The open stairwell and interconnected spaces created flanking paths for sound, making it impractical to meet some airborne sound insulation targets between floors;
- Roller Shutter Door – An existing roller shutter door was identified as a significant acoustic weakness for noise ingress from the shopping centre. However, as no upgrades to the roller shutter were proposed it was highlighted as a risk with expectations for the sound insulation performance suitably managed.
Result
- Compliance Achieved – The final design met the agreed acoustic performance standards for all key spaces, with alternative standards adopted where necessary. Plant noise levels at residential receptors were predicted to comply with local authority criteria, ensuring no adverse impact;
- Improved Acoustic Environment – The refurbished library now provides suitable ambient noise levels, robust sound insulation between spaces, and controlled reverberation times, supporting a comfortable and functional environment for users and staff;
- Risk Management – All design risks were identified and mitigated where possible, with clear documentation and sign-off from stakeholders. The acoustic strategy is robust, practical, and tailored to the constraints of the existing building.
Project Progress
Completed in the Summer 2025, this refurbishment is part of the first phase of the Surrey Libraries transformation and modernisation programme facilitated by Surrey County Council’s Land and Property, Capital Projects teams.
We have also provided consultancy services for the Woking, Weybridge and Redhill library refurbishment projects working once again with the team at Neilcott Construction.
