Eco Buildings Archives

New developments and services at MACH Acoustics

Posted by IT MACH

New developments and services at MACH Acoustics

6th March 2018Acoustic Design, Eco Buildings, MACH Energy

Ze had a great time last week presenting to Stride Treglown’s Cardiff office about the new developments we have going on at MACH. As always, the team there had some good questions and were really inquisitive about the new services we are now providing and how they could benefit them as a practise.

Low carbon design and ventilation systems have always been a big interest to us, so it seemed a logical step to start looking in to these areas of design and how they interact with acoustics.

This ‘holistic design’ approach centres around the balancing of thermal gains, ventilation and noise, which is affected by the façade U-values, glazing area, window types, ventilation strategy and external noise environment. It is only by working on all these design aspects that you can make sure that each element compliments the other.

We are also able to offer Passivhaus design consultancy too. Both Emily and Max are both certified Passivhaus consultants and have already started work on a number of developments in London.

We are now able to offer design advice for the following areas of design;

Part L Compliance
Building Physics Modelling
Thermal Comfort Assessment
Façade Optimisations
Passivhaus Consultancy
Daylight

Posted by IT MACH

London Green Register bite size session, Thursday 13th October: Window Design and Acoustics

29th January 2018Eco Buildings, Low Energy, Sustainable Acoustics, Window Design

Find out how to take a green, forward thinking approach to all aspects of building acoustics including window design.

In this bite size session, Ze Nunes, founder of MACH Acoustics, has been invited to present some lessons learned from lecturing & studying at the University of Bath (MSc in Sustainable Architecture and Phd “In the Visualization of Sound”). Ze has recently published two hugely significant books ‘Sustainable Acoustics’ and ‘The Future of Windows’. Signed copies of both books will be available subject to printing dates being achieved.

MACH Acoustics recognises the importance of noise control through window design. Where simple traditional design limits the use of open windows, MACH have now developed a range of unique software tools to help overcome noise break-in in residential buildings, offices and schools to prove that open windows can be used in noisier environments than previously thought.

Ze will demonstrate how to take a green, forward thinking approach to all aspects of building acoustics including window design. Best practice, the latest data, as well as useful ‘sustainable rules of thumb‘ are included in this presentation as well as an introduction into MACH Acoustics’ Web Based Design Tools, showing how best to position a building on site, how to minimise levels of embodied energy and select partitions between rooms.

Bath Abbey Footprint – Women in Property site visit

29th January 2018Acoustic Design, Eco Buildings, Sustainable Acoustics

This fascinating Women in Property September site visit to Bath Abbey explored the £19.3 million capital works, which are set to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to fulfil Bath Abbey’s critical requirements. MACHs’ Catherine Adams was lucky enough to get a place on the tour, take it all in and learn a little more.

The project entitled “Footprint” includes stabilisation of the ground beneath the Abbey floor, which is currently in a state of collapse, tapping into Bath’s greatest natural resource to heat the Abbey using energy from the hot springs, installation of energy efficient lighting and storage, all inclusive of internal adaptation and downward excavation to provide a modern, welcoming space and facilities for the Abbey’s local community, choirs and school projects/activities and wider community of the City of Bath.

Project Director Charles Curnock gave an overview of the project, followed by a guided tour of Bath Abbey and its Vaults, where the Norman and Roman excavations exist and where the majority of the works will take place.

Over the summer months MACH Acoustics was privileged to be given access to the Abbey, carrying out acoustic assessments and research. With such a unique space to explore and understand; the MACH team, led by Josh Childs, were able to measure the reverberation time across the space, using this to create a 3D acoustic model as part of the assessment.

The 3D acoustic model for Bath Abbey

The findings of Josh’s report will be presented shortly to Charles and his colleagues and MACH hopes this may go some way in part to assist understanding the demands The Abbey has acoustically for the space to perform to optimum levels and what needs to be done for Footprint.

Posted by IT MACH

Acoustic input at design stage benefits site waste management plan

29th January 2018Eco Buildings

Contributing to a site waste management plan at the design stage results in quantified reductions in waste arising. This is achieved by evaluating recycled content and specifying building materials containing higher recycled content as well as reused materials.

MACH sees waste as careless, unsustainable and economically costly. If we did not have ears, partition thickness, slab depth, glass thickness, doors, etc. could be made considerably lighter, meaning that less material would be required to build a building. As such, within building design there is a balance between the materials needed for a high acoustic performance, and the reduced mass for a low energy, cost effective design. It is therefore critical to ensure that the correct performance standards and design strategies are used to make sure that the right acoustic performance standard is achieved without over specifying in order to minimise waste and embodied energy.

Often, acoustic treatment forms an integral part of the important architectural appearance of a building. It is often the case that over design occurs. However, MACH always looks to minimize waste by investigating a wide range of products and materials and carrying early reverberation time testing which allows us provide very accurate area of treatment and eliminate over specification.

The roof to Eden’s Educational Building is formed from a timber structure. Thermal insulation made from recycled newspaper was used to provide the thermal insulation. To achieve the acoustic requirements of the exhibition space the plywood sheet used for lateral bracing was perforated to 20% open area. This principle has been used across a range of schools, higher education buildings and other MACH projects.

Posted by IT MACH

Demonstration of Sound Level Difference through Window Opening

6th February 2014Eco Buildings, Natural Ventilation, Research, Room Acoustics, Vented Facades, Ventilation Systems

When testing the performance of the NAT Vent Attenuator at Winford Primary School, we performed a noise break in assessment whilst opening a window. The video above illustrates the sound level difference has a steep decay from a small opening.

Posted by IT MACH

Case Study – London and West London Acadamies

28th April 2011Architecture, BB93, Case Study, Construction, Cross Ventilation, Eco Buildings, NAT Vent Attenuator, Vented Facades

London and West London Academies, two large £30M+ Academy are both designed around a natural ventilation, incorporating cross ventilation. Both schools were required to meet BB93 and BB101 ‘Ventilation of School Buildings’. MACH Acoustics worked with Fosters and Partners to develop a practical solution. Our findings were that the cost of conventional attenuators along with their size and short falls in performance prohibited the use of these devices but allowed for the NVA.

The academies featured many different imaginative implementations of the NVA as a cross ventilator, all venting into a central atrium. Air passed though the facade via actuated windows through bulkheads at ceiling height containing the NVA.

The main principle was to add an attenuator with 25% free area and a face area of 1.5m², with small splitter sizes. The attenuator was to be located above a cupboard spaces as shown below. A flap enable the vent to be opened and closed.

One of the main advantages of the NVA is the ease and simplicity of installation. Once the bulkhead has been constructed, the tessellating foam is arranged into honeycomb pairs by alternating orientation, then simply slid into the duct. Since the foam is malleable and can be cut, fitting around building services or any on-site alternations can be easily achieved. Installation generally takes under one hour – saving money and construction time.

With the window facade bulkhead, we were able to implement cost savings by negating the need for expensive weather louvres, using actuated windows instead. Not only was the cost significantly reduced but the installation was greatly simplified – both points highly valued by the contractor.

Click the preview below to download the complete case study

Posted by IT MACH

Case Study – Dartington School Environmental Noise Break-in

17th September 2010Architecture, BB101, BB93, Eco Buildings, NAT Vent Attenuator, Natural Ventilation, Noise Map, Vented Facades

Environmental noise break-in can be a significant issue when naturally ventilating a building located on a noise site, even if the noise is only moderate. Dartington school, previously reviewed within this blog with regard to the creative room acoustic treatment, also required creative forms of noise control measures to prevent noise break-in to noise sensitive teaching spaces.

The first stage of any noise break-in assessment is to establish noise levels across the site. This was done by carrying out noise monitoring throughout the site, over the full operational hours of the school. During the noise survey addition data was collect with respect to traffic flow levels and other data need to build a noise map of the site. A noise map was used such to assess the effects of the new school and to establish noise levels across all facades.

The result of the original noise mapping exercise is shown above in the left hand image. The results of this assessment indicated that noise levels at the facades to the classroom block where higher than desirable. The solution was to use an acoustic screen and strategically placed earth bund to reduce noise levels at the classroom. The tire wall is shown on the front cover of “BD Reviews” was used to form the required acoustics screen. This design is highly sustainable since these used tires did not go to land fill. Aesthetically there is a strong recycled image and additionally over time the vegetation shown in the image will cover the wall to form a green, live acoustics screen.

A second observation from the above noise mapping exercise was that noise levels at the sports hall were too high to allow for natural ventilation by means of simple openable vents. The solution was to added attenuated vents using the NAT Vent Attenuator. The photo below shows this vent and the diagram provides 3D view through the vent box.

Click the preview below to download the full case study on Dartington

Posted by IT MACH

BaleHaus @ Bath – Modcell Acoustic Testing

18th August 2010Acoustic Testing, Eco Buildings, Sustainable Acoustics

The BaleHaus @ Bath University

MACH Acoustics has recently conducted sound insulation testing at the BaleHaus at the University of Bath. The BaleHaus project is research program being coordinated by the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering.

The BaleHaus is constructed from Modcell. The ModCell system utilises the excellent thermal insulation qualities of straw bale construction to form prefabricated panels constructed locally to reduce energy requirements for transportation.

As a supporter of low-energy, sustainable design, this project was of great interest to MACH Acoustics. We were thrilled when be asked to be involved in the ongoing research into the properties of this ‘carbon-negative’ construction material.

The acoustic testing was conducted according to ISO 140-5:1998. The presence of building management system controlled window within the test room required careful consideration when planning for the test. To avoid the effects of sound transmission through this element, the entire window frame was sealed using the two layers of 15mm Soundbloc fixed to a partially de-coupled frame. Testing was also conducted with the window frame unsealed for comparison purposes.

Testing in progress

The results of the testing found that Modcell is a suitable facade material for all but the most challenging noise environments. The analysis found that the internal noise level was governed almost entirely by the noise transfer through the window.

More information about the BaleHaus and Modcell can be found by going to www.modcell.com

Posted by IT MACH

Welcome to MACH Acoustics Blog!

4th August 2010Architecture, Construction, Eco Buildings, Exhaust Stacks, Sustainable Acoustics, Ventilation Systems

The aim of MACH Acoustics is to become one of the leading acoustic consultants in the field of sustainable building design. This aim means that we specifically focus on projects around sustainable architecture and Eco buildings. A considerable portion of our time is therefore spent looking to solve some of the conflicts between acoustics and low carbon, sustainable constructions.

Acoustics and sustainability are not often spoken about together. On the other hand, air conditioning systems are often used to overcome noise ingress issues. Thermal mass cooling; exposed concrete soffits for example, can make buildings sound loud, harsh and noisy. Cross ventilation, exhaust stacks and other air ventilation systems can compromise the acoustic cross talk between office buildings accommodation and teaching spaces within educational buildings. Vented facades in combination with ventilation louvers and other types of air ventilation systems within the fenestrations of a building are often used to prevent noise ingress. Buildings are often built using high mass structures to achieve acoustic requirements.

These factors clearly show the link between acoustics and sustainability. Acoustics can therefore have a significant impact upon the levels of carbon emissions, ventilation system and the level of embodied energy in the buildings frame and other factors affecting the sustainable architecture of a given building. With changes to Building Control Documents Part L and Part E, along with new client expectations, there is an increasing importance to ensure that building designs become more integrated and greener.

MACH Acoustics view is that the best way to overcome the limitations imposed by acoustics on sustainable buildings is to increase our knowledge base. This simple goal is therefore the aim of this blog. We aim to provide a point of reference where detailed information will be regularly uploaded relating to residential buildings and the code for sustainable homes. We will be looking at Eco buildings and acoustic materials which match requirements for sustainable building design. Ventilation systems including vented facades, acoustic ventilation louvers, attenuators within facades, passive house systems, heat recovery systems, exhaust stacks and other air ventilation system will be discussed over time.