Introduction

MACH Acoustics is a specialist acoustics consultancy providing acoustic design across all buildings types. Our aim is to become one of the leading acoustic consultants in the field of sustainable and creative acoustics. Our ethos is to constantly develop our understanding of acoustics and other disciplines, including architecture, building services and structures. Through consultation, research and imaginative thinking, we find creative acoustic solutions to the challenges we are presented with.

Each blog post will be an excerpt from the MACH Acoustics book – “Sustainable Acoustics – Sustainable Acoustic Scheme Designs from MACH Acoustics”. The posts will be categorised into the relevant chapters as they appear in the book. The purpose of this book is to highlight some of the unique designs employed by MACH Acoustics and teams we have worked with. Inspiring concepts, challenging schemes and fresh design approaches are presented across all aspects of building design. This book hopes to help design teams think greener and to achieve sustainable designs. This book also aims to act as a reference document, including performance standards, rules of thumb and standard forms of construction.

The book begins with an introduction into The NAT Vent Attenuator, a flexible product developed by MACH Acoustics on the back of extensive research. This product allows the flow of air whilst restricting the passage of sound, hence it can be used to achieve cross ventilation whilst complying with BB93, HTM, BREEAM and other privacy requirements. The flexibility of the NAT Vent Attenuator means it can also be used to enhance the performance of vented facades such to accommodate noisy sites.

Chapter 2 looks in detail at one of the most important and challenging aspects of low energy buildings; acoustic facade design to prevent noise break-in. Chapter 2 looks at three areas; attenuated facades to multi storey buildings, single storey buildings, and double and screened facades.

Since the introduction of stringent performance requirements, cross ventilation has become more difficult to implement. Cross ventilation is highly effective and more cost efficient than single sided ventilation. Chapter 3 therefore looks at design options for cross venting to atriums/corridors, as well as single ventilating stacks feeding multiple floors.

Sound insulation is an important aspect of any building’s design. Chapter 4 provides a range of performance requirements, standard acoustic details and sustainability methods of providing sound insulation.

Creative room finishes are an important part of building design. Chapter 5 therefore provides a complete range of alternatives to ceiling tiles and standard forms of room acoustic treatments. To supplement this information, a series of case studies and green practical solutions are presented.

Open plan is an important aspect to teaching and office accommodation. Valuable design roles, schemes and design concepts are therefore addressed within Chapter 6 of this book.