Soundproof wall grilles create soundproof facade at State residential tower

Consequently, more and more projects must move to noise-sensitive locations. Locations that are less suitable for 24-hour residential use because of the noise levels occurring. Such is the case with the State residential tower in Amsterdam. Buro Bouwfysica, ZZDP Architects and Duco Ventilation & Sun Control joined forces. Together they looked for a feasible solution for comfortable living at this location. By means of a so-called silent side, also called a low-noise facade, the requirements can be met.

Soundproof facade

"Unique to residential tower State is that the soundproof façade is formed by a part of the façade that is shielded," says Jan Hardlooper, acoustics consultant at Buro Bouwfysica. "In the preliminary stage of the permit application, this was still an exception to the main rule. That rule states that the entire side of a house must be soundproof. Meanwhile, the municipality of Amsterdam has changed its policy, partly because of the implementation practice for projects such as State, such that a quiet side can be realized by screening off part of the facade. On one condition! That part of the façade must contain an opening part that has sufficient capacity to ventilate the space behind it according to the requirements of the Building Code. The use of sound-damping wall grilles comes to the forefront here."

Comparative study

The diffusers must not only have a high noise reduction, but also a high air throughput. "Ventilation without sacrificing acoustic comfort, in other words," adds Edwin Pelkman, project consultant at Duco. "A low-noise outdoor space was not required; a low-noise facade was. Because a deaf façade is not required, different alternatives could be compared."

Adam Smit and Joris Deur of ZZDP Architects add: "Acoustic wall gratings were preferred over traditional solutions such as screened balconies or building-mounted noise barriers."

Sound attenuating recessed wall grille

"The grille choice was Duco Acoustic Panel," Hardlooper continues. "The spaces behind the grilles must be able to be drained through the grille (3 l/s.m² floor area). The required noise reduction of the grille should be at least 13 dB for the rail traffic noise spectrum." 

The 131 Duco Acoustic Panel 300 diffusers have a high attenuation value of no less than 17dB due to their heavy-duty design. "We are extremely satisfied with the result. Afterwards, acoustic tests were performed on the sound insulation of the façade, with the door behind the grille opened and closed. The measurement result agrees with our calculations. The required noise reductions have been achieved and the residents can ventilate without high noise levels," concludes a satisfied Hardlooper.