Background
Anderson Acoustics was appointed by Sunninghill Construction Co. Ltd to provide acoustic consultancy services and ongoing support throughout the design and construction stages of the residential development known as Kingston House Gardens, Leatherhead.
The project involves the demolition of existing structures and the construction of 36 new dwellings, including apartment blocks, terraced houses, and townhouses. It is the first build to rent scheme approved in the Mole Valley District Council and offers affordable housing to local people.
What we did
The primary goal of the acoustic design is to ensure that the new homes provide a comfortable living environment by minimizing noise intrusion from external sources and controlling noise within the buildings. This involves meeting the standards set out in Building Regulations Approved Document E (ADE).
Key Areas of Focus:
External Building Fabric:
- Glazing and Ventilation: The design specifies high-performance glazing and ventilation systems to reduce noise levels inside the homes. For example, windows with specific sound reduction capabilities are recommended.
- Wall Construction: The external walls are designed to provide effective sound insulation, using materials and construction methods that block external noise.
Internal Building Fabric:
- Separating Walls and Floors: The walls and floors between different dwellings to be constructed to high acoustic standards to prevent noise transfer. This includes using robust materials and specific construction techniques.
- Internal Partitions: Within each home, internal walls to be designed to minimize noise between rooms, ensuring privacy and comfort.
External Amenity Areas:
- The design also considers noise levels in outdoor spaces such as gardens and balconies, ensuring these areas remain pleasant and usable.
Building Services Noise Control:
- Measures advised to control noise from building services (e.g., heating, ventilation) to ensure they do not disturb residents.
Noise Survey and Modelling
A detailed environmental noise survey was conducted to understand the existing noise climate around the site. This data was used to create a 3D noise model, which helped in designing the building fabric and layout to mitigate noise effectively.
Project Progress
Construction was completed and handover to Clarion Housing Group in November 2024
