Client
The University of Auckland
Location
Auckland
Completion date
2008
Marshall Day Acoustics was the acoustical consultant engaged by the University of Auckland for the iconic Owen G Glenn building.
This highly successful educational building project was acoustically challenging due to the program deadlines, size, complexity and budget. Our early engagement on the project, assisted in minimising client risk whilst providing the design team and builder with cost effective options for construction materials and treatments.
Images courtesy of fjmt, John Gollings & Andrew Chung
Our Brief
The University of Auckland provided a comprehensive brief with Marshall Day Acoustics being responsible for:
- Room acoustics design
- Sound insulation
- Environmental noise control
- Services noise control (HVAC, hydraulics, lifts, electrical, car park)
Challenges
Some of the design challenges and proactive cost effective solutions included:
- Design and control of adjacent motorway noise via the massive frameless glass walls - state of the art facade noise map modelling was used to determine effective glazing treatment options
- Environmental noise emissions from major exhaust fans in the underground car park impacting on an adjacent heritage building
- Sound insulation and internal acoustic treatment for two 600-seat, two 300-seat and one 150-seat lecture theatre, and four 75-seat 'case' rooms whose shape were based around an acoustically undesirable 'clam shell'. The resulting acoustics in these spaces are such that a competent speaker does not require a speech amplification system.
- Several of the lecture theatres required innovative acoustic design treatments to resolve sound and impact noise source transmission
...[The building] is distinctive, innovative and imaginative in its design; with outstanding functionality, fitness for purpose, and use of technology...
