66 INSULATION
efficiency. This fact is not lost on architects either as, according to our report, just 9% of architects felt acoustic design is “given the attention it deserves by clients.” Worrying still, is the work needed within the architectural community to ensure that acoustic health is given the correct attention. From our survey, only around one quarter of respondents (27%) could correctly identify which peak sound pressure should not be exceeded (87 Db), whilst 16% were unaware of any health risk associated with excessive or reverberant noise.
Wellness & duty of care It is clear from our research that further education for companies looking to install office fitouts is needed, particularly around acoustic health. However, architects also have a role to play in raising the awareness of the impact and dangers of excessive reverberant sound. Fortunately, there are a range of architectural acoustic finishes for ceilings and walls – inncluding sprays and plasters – that can help architects in their mission to create calm and inviting spaces without breaking client’s budgets. Quick installation times and a guarantee of
The impact of acoustic health within offices is still being underestimated
minimal disruption can often help sway the vote too.
In a landscape where businesses need to be operating at a higher efficiency within increasingly competitive markets, it may be well worth architects fighting the corner for improvements to office acoustics. By doing so, clients can be sure that their costly fitouts are fit for purpose and that they do not find their reimagined spaces plagued by noisy and disruptive sound.
A silver lining to the challenges presented by the pandemic is the window of opportunity we have been given to undo some of the biggest challenges faced with working environments. With the right due care and consideration both architects and clients can ensure office-based employees feel safe and comfortable in the months and years to follow.
Ben Hancock is managing director at Oscar Acoustics
New lease of life thanks to Sto insulation
An historic landmark has been given a new lease of life with the installation of StoTherm Mineral K external wall insulation and StoSilco finishing render, from Sto. Built in 1937, the building in Keswick originally housed the UK’s first pencil factory. The BBA-certified StoTherm
Hotel benefits from multiple moveable walls
The Londoner is the world’s first super boutique hotel offering a collection of spaces, tastes and experiences brought to life across 16 elegant storeys. Delivering flexible space to cater for a myriad of impressive events, Style installed a six metre high Skyfold vertical- rising moveable wall in the main ballroom, as well as a combination of Dorma Hüppe Variflex sliding walls and smaller Skyfold systems throughout the numerous event areas. This focus on adaptable space, combined with Style’s expertise in delivering partitioning walls with impeccable acoustic performance, gives the hotel multiple options for opening out or dividing the available areas and maximising room hire revenue. Bringing an exciting new buzz to the south-west corner of Leicester Square, The Londoner boasts one of the world’s deepest habitable basements with six subterranean levels housing two cinemas, an expansive ballroom, as well as a swimming pool and spa facility. Style worked closely with the architect, interior designer and contractors to deliver flexible event space throughout the hotel.
www.style-partitions.co.uk
Mineral K system combines impressive insulation with unrivalled fire protection characteristics. It features Sto-Mineral Fibre thermal insulation boards, which in this case were fixed to the substrate using StoLevel Duo Plus mineral bonding and reinforcing mortar. The exterior surface was finished with StoSilco silicone resin render.
0141 892 8000
www.sto.co.uk Latest news, views and more
If you like to be kept informed of all the latest news, views, and promotions for the architectural community, the ADF email newsletters can offer you regular updates straight to your inbox. The weekly Editor’s Choice newsletter includes top news stories curated by the ADF editorial team, while the
monthly CPD Focus and fortnightly ADF Newsletter offer updates on products, services, events, and learning opportunities available from a wide variety of manufacturers and suppliers.
www.subscribepage.com/adf
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
ADF NOVEMBER 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
