Background
APS Façade UK Ltd commissioned Anderson Acoustics to review the proposed residential façade specification for the HiLight Building in Battersea, London. The façade design features lightweight opaque panels and glazed units supported by an aluminium stick system. The primary goal was to ensure the façade complied with stringent project acoustic requirements, safeguarding resident comfort in a busy urban environment.
Challenge
The main challenge was to demonstrate, through a desktop study, that the proposed façade system would meet or exceed the required sound insulation performance. This included:
- Achieving both vertical and horizontal flanking sound insulation of 60 dB Dn,f,w between residential units;
- Meeting external noise reduction targets for different building zones and room types, as specified in the project’s acoustic reports.
The project requirements for the façade’s sound reduction performance were defined in octave bands, with specified values that had to be achieved across all bands. Such requirements are often challenging to meet with lightweight systems, particularly at the lower end of the frequency spectrum.
What We Did
We conducted a detailed review including:
- Flanking Sound Assessment
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- Used Insul modelling software to predict the sound reduction performance of non-standard connection details;
- Calibrated models with previous laboratory-tested configurations, applying a conservative 3 dB reduction to account for uncertainties;
- Analysed typical, bay window, and balcony window junctions, ensuring all met or exceeded the 60 dB Dn,f,w requirement.
- External Sound Reduction
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- Assessed the sound reduction performance of the aluminium stick framing and opaque panel systems;
- Compared the predicted performance of façade elements against project requirements for bedrooms and living rooms across different building zones;
- Calculated composite sound reduction indices for worst-case scenarios, ensuring compliance even in the most challenging locations;
- Performed external noise break-in calculations using BS EN ISO 12354-3:2017 methodology, confirming that internal noise levels would remain comfortably below industry limits.
Conclusion
The review concluded that the proposed façade system for the HiLight Building is robust and fit for purpose:
- Flanking performance: All vertical and horizontal junctions are expected to meet or exceed the 60 dB Dn,f,w requirement, supported by both test data and calibrated modelling;
- Façade sound reduction: We demonstrated that the required internal ambient noise levels can be achieved in all spaces of the building, and highlighted areas where high-performing glazing is necessary to meet the requirements.
Project Progress
Work on the facade is now complete. Final build completion and first occupation is expected in Q2 2026.
Testimonial
‘Superb, their acoustic assessment led to +£70k of savings in glass materials only’ Toni Kustic, APS Facade UK Ltd
