Background
Anderson Acoustics was commissioned by Neilcott Construction to provide acoustic consultancy services for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the ground floor refurbishment of the Kingston University Penrhyn Building.
The scheme will create open plan collaboration areas, large open plan teaching and work areas such as the future skills studio, agile working area and careers office and collaboration space, plus small meeting rooms and cellular office.
What we did
We were brought on to review the current design proposals at RIBA Stage 4, and to produce a BREEAM Acoustic report to demonstrate compliance with BREEAM Acoustics Credits via pre-completion testing.
- Environmental Noise Survey
We undertook an acoustic survey including baseline measurements of environmental noise around the site and indoor ambient noise levels in existing spaces, representative of the proposed ventilation strategy.
The results of the survey allowed us to verify that the ventilation strategy and existing building envelope was appropriate to achieve compliance, and set suitable plant noise emission limits.
- Acoustic Design Strategy
We reviewed the Stage 3 Acoustic Design Employers Requirements set by the Client’s Acoustic Consultant, to highlight areas of design risks and opportunities.
We established a set of acoustic criteria with reference to achieving the relevant BREEAM Hea05 credits for sound insulation, indoor ambient noise levels and control of reverberation time, and reviewed the detailed design proposals in order to achieve the target performance standards.
We reviewed the proposed plant and recommended suitable mitigation measures for external mechanical services design to achieve BREEAM Pol 05 credits.
- Construction Noise & Vibration Assessment
The proposed refurbishment works cover both works to the inside of the campus building, where significant structural changes are to be undertaken, and internal refurbishment of a significant proportion of the ground floor, as well as external landscaping and groundworks works within the campus.
We undertook an assessment of the potential impacts of noise and vibration from the planned refurbishment works and provided measures for the management of the works to reduce potential noise and vibration effects on teaching and research activities within the floors above or adjacent areas.
We assessed construction related noise and structure borne noise and vibration effects on the use of the occupied parts of the building and operation of vibration sensitive equipment. Our assessment is intended to guide the choice of construction methodologies, type of plant to be used, in order to minimise the disruption to the operation of the building during construction.
We set noise and vibration limits for the proposed noise and vibration monitors to be installed within the university campus buildings for the duration of the refurbishment project.
- Construction Noise, Vibration and Dust Monitoring
We are currently providing continuous noise, vibration and dust monitoring and reporting on site to ensure the impact thresholds we set are not exceeded.
Project Progress
BREEAM testing has been carried out for phase 1 and compliance with Pol05 and Hea05 has been demonstrated.
Phase 2 is underway.
