Acoustic Project Design

Our process: Managing risks and opportunities

The biggest risk in the construction process relates to lack of communication. We are constantly working on replacing text in favour of drawings to facilitate understanding and allow changes to be made quickly and scalable. Traditionally, acousticians prepare a document that other disciplines use as a design support when preparing their construction documents. We submit documentation to A or K, for example, for them to interpret and incorporate into their documents. This is a cost-increasing work step with manual labour that is not value-creating and also increases the risk of misunderstandings. One of our key issues is to eventually eliminate this labour element by working directly with the BIM model. Since 2022, we have been using REVIT for our sound drawings. This will make continuous updates easier while reducing the risk of mistakes when translating our requirements into A and K documents. The response to our new process has been positive, especially from Architects and Designers. Timber construction requires greater detail from acousticians and our new approach makes us a more integrated team player in the construction process. Above all, it is much more fun to work now.

PHASE 1 - early design in co-operation with client and architect

We always start projects by producing a good basis for further planning. Detailed plans are verified against the architect's expectations and buildings and noise sources are modelled so that the outdoor environment is ensured before the building permit. We propose noise requirements adapted to wooden houses and present the consequences of the chosen levels and the impact on costs. We know where BBR is sufficient as a minimum requirement and where the level should be raised for an optimal balance between perceived sound quality and construction costs.

PHASE 2 - system & detail design, choice of structural systems & technical solutions

Depending on the shape, height and floor plan of the building, we help to select the right building system in the right place. We have experience from most systems and know what works and can guide you to make wise frame and system choices depending on the design of the building and the architect's intentions - e.g. visible wood. We also coordinate energy efficiency, fire requirements and stability for optimal sound comfort. Building components and nodes are calculated and verified against control measurements for the current frame system. We use commercial calculation programmes and self-developed models that are gradually refined with an ever-growing database of high quality field measurements.

PHASE 3 - Construction phase

During the construction phase, we are often present with ongoing checks and co-operation with site management. Early checks are carried out in rooms carefully selected to ensure the final acoustic performance of the building. If design flaws are discovered at this stage, they can be corrected immediately and construction proceeds smoothly.

PHASE 4 - Final checks and feedback of experience

Well before construction is completed, final checks are carried out on sound insulation, sound level from installations and traffic, and, if necessary, room acoustics (e.g. premises). We measure in critical positions and can therefore be confident with other building components. For our own development, we often carry out in-depth measurements so that we become even better at optimising building components and junctions. Measurement data is fed back into the organisation and we refine our models for calculating sound insulation and sound levels. We have long worked with in-depth measurements in wooden structures and through research work that we have conducted, we have collected data for more than twenty years!