Background
Anderson Acoustics was commissioned by Cosmur Construction to provide acoustic design advice in relation to the refurbishment of the existing single-storey Cedar Centre SEN School in Brighton, into a provision for children with social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).
The project involved ground floor refurbishment works to provide classrooms and specialist spaces/offices plus a new second floor extension to provide life skills teaching spaces.
The Challenge
Children with SEMH and Autism (ASD) can experience noise hypersensitivity and require an enhanced acoustic environment to support listening and ensure noise levels do not buildup excessively (which can cause anxiety and repetitive behaviour reaction). They are less able to understand speech in noisy environments and can benefit from quiet room access, and personal listening devices to reduce the listening disadvantage (where tactile sensitivities are not an issue).
Studies have shown that reducing noise and echo in classrooms tripled attention span, improved response time by 60% and improved behavioural temperament for students with Autism (ASD). According to research, a varied level of acoustic control is recommended (for example in the life skills spaces) so that students with Autism (ASD) can graduate from their reliance on acoustical control measures.
What we did
We undertook benchmark sound insulation testing of retained internal partitions to determine the current acoustic performance and to inform the target design criteria for the upgrade works taking into account the needs of the students. Reverberation time and internal ambient noise levels were also captured in several rooms.
- Acoustic Design Strategy
Brought on at RIBA Stage 4, we set out the agreed acoustic performance standards for the scheme, conveyed the acoustic design strategy with consideration of how the acoustic design proposals can meet the scheme requirements documented in building bulletin 93 2015 (BB93) and other relevant Requirements. Design risks and opportunities based on known site or project design constraints have been identified. The proposals have been reviewed and developed to demonstrate that the technical design is capable of compliance with the target acoustic performance standards.
The Cedar Centre building will accommodate teaching spaces for pupils with significant barriers to learning associated with their social emotional and mental health needs so it was important that our acoustic design strategy and recommendations for acoustic treatments and finishes reflected these additional needs.
We reviewed and advised on:-
- building envelope design and ventilation strategy
- sound insulation between spaces
- internal building services noise & vibration
- external plant noise emissions
- room acoustics
We were also commissioned by Brighton & Hove City Council to provide construction noise monitoring and reporting for the duration of the demolition and construction phases to ensure the agreed noise threshold limits were not exceeded.
Project Progress
The build is due to be completed in April 2024.
