Finally, advises Wazalwar, avoid noisy HVAC systems by using larger ducts to decrease air velocity, therefore making less noise. It is also important to properly treat all noise and vibration at its source. For instance, mechanical equipment foundations should be properly isolated to ensure peace and comfort in adjacent units. Vibration isolation materials provide damping, decoupling, mass, and absorption. A high-performance elastomer or a high-performance mixed-cell polyurethane is often specified to protect residents from rooftop mechanical vibrations. Additionally, these products offer the ability to create customized solutions which allow reliable planning and ensure the exact amount of material required can be precisely specified by acoustic engineers. A panelized floating subfloor system may also treat mechanical rooms for impact sound insulation. It absorbs airborne sound and dissipates structure-borne noise and vibration.
Many developments position themselves to attract residents with ready access to mass transit. However, this creates a challenge for the developer and owner to ensure they design and deliver the high-level acoustics needed to keep residents shielded from noise and vibration caused by this kind of amenity.
At 121 E. Route 66, a 198-unit mixed-use development in Glendora, California, the construction uses high-performance floating floor vibration isolation products to neutralize primary noise sources while also allowing for a thinner slab. Building acoustics products mitigate noise and vibrations with their low natural frequencies (f ≥ 7.5 Hz), which are constant over wide load ranges and can be installed in multiple layers. The high-performance floating floor shields residents from noise pollution in the form of vehicle traffic and the adjacent freight railroad, and future-proofs the building to ensure residents are protected from additional noise pollution associated with the proposed extension of the Metro Gold Line.
A mixed-use project in a similar situation, in Berlin, Germany, with train tracks running through the basement of the building uses a high-performance elastomer made of rubber fibers, granules, and polyurethane to isolate residents from any disturbances. This material is available from manufacturers in rolls or sheets. High-quality manufacturers offer it in eight unique types, each for a specific load range. Premium types are supplied with a dimpled underside to decrease the dynamic stiffness and to provide an air gap. This kind of building acoustic technology allows urban planners and developers to confidently invest in real estate previously thought of as unfit for building with properly designed and specified building acoustics.
The renovation of the historic Water Street Mill complex in Williamstown, Massachusetts, included converted restoration of abandoned properties into a revitalized mix of lofts, apartments, and condominiums. Finegold Alexander Architects designed the interiors of 61 housing units for Cable Mills—13 of them designated affordable. The directive for all of them was to utilize highly sustainable, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly systems and materials. They specified a cost-effective, dimpled flooring underlayment made from recycled tire rubber to provide the best acoustic experience for all Cable Mills residents.
Future-proofing mixed-use and multi-family, or renovation and re-use developments for acoustic sanity in the post-COVID world is only half the battle. Hickman reminds that in order for multi-family projects to weather the value engineering (VE) process, specifiers must be strategic in finding integrated solutions to offer a triple bottom line.
“Good solutions make sense on every level,” agrees Wazalwar.
For instance, specify an economical product offering acoustic buffering and thermal conservation benefits.
“Acoustic comfort is huge,” says Hickman. “And I feel like it’s been the unsung hero for a very long time. [Good] acoustics is a quiet but efficient design strategy.”
Author
Bill Devin has been a business unit manager at Regupol America since 2014. He has over 30 years of experience in the acoustics field, with the last 20 years in multi-family acoustic design. He has been involved in many prestigious projects and works closely with architects, contractors, and developers in product selection to ensure the highest acoustical ratings and overall customer satisfaction. Bill currently lives in Massachusetts and enjoys woodworking, gardening, and meeting new people.
