Sustainable Acoustics Archives

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

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

Sustainability – time for a deeper understanding

29th January 2018Sustainable Acoustics

We all use the word “Sustainable” but is our general over use of the on trend word more of a hindrance now to those who truly practise what we preach – and do we really understand it in it’s purest concept? Max Reynolds explains:

What Is Sustainable Development?

There are many different ways of defining sustainable and it is been said that there are over 200 definitions of sustainable development alone.

The United Nations in 1987 described sustainable development as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” and this perhaps outlines what it should mean to us within the construction industry.

A common model for understanding sustainability is the “three pillars model” which was first introduced during the 2005 World summit on social development as a way of visualising the key components of sustainable development. This is a useful image as it provides us with a clear visualisation of the balancing required and that for truly sustainable development we need to address all three.

Three Pillars Of Sustainability

Whilst the three-pillar model is a useful tool for simplifying and visualising sustainability, it is slightly misleading in that it implies that the weighting between the pillars is equal, but as environmental ecologist Herman Daly sates “What use is a sawmill without a forest”.

The environmental component should be the main focus as everything else depends upon the environment. Similarly economic issues are a sub-component of social issues, so economic sits within the social component. Therefore we should consider adopting an updated approach to this model in the form of the “egg of sustainability” – see diagram below

Buildings should be focussing on minimising their negative environmental impact and it is up to us as designers to find solutions that work socially and economically.

Making sustainable solutions work socially revolves around opening people’s minds to new ideas and approaches. As humans, we are naturally sceptical and resistant to change, but this is the stage that we are currently at as the word “sustainable” is becoming more of a “buzz word” and the increasing global awareness is a key driver. A perfect example of that demonstrates we are on the right path is the recent Paris climate change agreement.

In addressing the environmental and social aspects of sustainability, one would hope this would be sufficient to address any economic issues associated with sustainable buildings, by reshaping the way we approach building design, by finding simple solutions that are economically viable.

As designers we have a key role to play in our journey down this road and it is down to us to be the driving force behind new ways of thinking and challenging traditional approaches because as Robert Swan so eloquently put it “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

Posted by IT MACH

The Future of Windows

29th January 2018Natural Ventilation, Sustainable Acoustics, Window Design

When the Romans invented the glass window, they couldn’t have anticipated the environmental context and settings years later: Windows continue to let in light ages on, however undesirable levels of air and sound also intrude.

MACH Acoustics recognises the importance of noise control through window design. Where simple traditional design limits the use of open windows, we 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.

Working with your design, we will improve the acoustic performance of open windows and provide the solution that will work best for your project. It could be as simple as an extended window frame, proven to reduce sound; external baffles; or changing the shape of the window itself.

Download our book for free from iTunes to read how our ground-breaking, software tools can show you the future of windows, and check out the video clip also below.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/mach-acoustics/id1041471077?mt=11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IzL8MpbtOs&feature=youtu.be#

Posted by IT MACH

Eden Project Acoustics – MACH Acoustics Consultancy

9th April 2014Acoustic Design, Open Plan Spaces, Resources, Sustainable Acoustics, Video

Posted by IT MACH

Case Study: Llwynderw Primary School

12th March 2014BB93, Case Study, Cross Ventilation, Exhaust Stacks, NAT Vent Attenuator, Natural Ventilation, Sustainable Acoustics, Vented Facades

Llwynderw Primary School is a project in Abergaveny that MACH Acoustics worked on in partnership with Stride Treglown Architects and Willmott Dixon. The school incorporates natural ventilation through a vented facade and openable windows, which cross ventilate classrooms via a central chimney – saving money, building space and simplifying the construction.

An important stage in the acoustic design of a building is an environmental noise survey of the existing site, a service provided by MACH Acoustics. Using the data collected, a dynamic noise map was constructed and used to access the noise levels at each facade and the resulting noise break-in within the teaching spaces. It was clear that the site was not particularly noisy and that an open window would provide enough attenuation at the facade facing away from the roads – simple and low cost.

A ventilation strategy was developed in close coordination with Stride Treglown Architects – using the sound map – which efficiently attenuated noise on each facade. On the noisy road facing facades, a cedar shingles feature created a duct, with intake perpendicular to the ground and containing the NVA. A 90deg arrangement like this increases attenuation and minimises impact on building space – highlighting the bespoke design options that the NVA offers. The quieter rooms with central chimney simply used openable acoustic windows. The central chimney shown above is the highlight of the natural ventilation project. Each stack of classrooms featured a small square chimney, which vented out through natural vent towers on the roof of the building.

A testament to the NVAs versatility whilst maintaining class leading acoustic performance, the build was impressive architecturally whilst naturally ventilating and meeting both BB93 and BB101 requirements as a teaching space. Thanks to a partnership between MACH Acoustics and Strides, the building received a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating and was well received by parents, pupils and residents of the area. Click the preview below to download the full case study:

Posted by IT MACH

Finite-Difference Time-Domain Models of Open Windows

18th November 2013KTP, Natural Ventilation, Research, Sustainable Acoustics, Vented Facades

An important area of research for MACH Acoustics, below are a few examples of a FDTD model we have produced to demonstrate various open window conditions.

First a top swung window, notice the noise ingress into the room.

The above but as a bottom swing.

An open window representation.

The above but with a internal baffle.

If you find this content interesting, why not arrange a CPD with MACH Acoustics?

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.