The former home of reggae label Saga Records is now delivering a quieter environment for Londoners to work and play in, with the installation of an innovative acoustic solution from Gilberts Blackpool to its rooftop.
The Gramophone Works has been redeveloped through a design and build contract by national contractor GRAHAM. The combination of refurbishment, extension and new build on behalf of Resolution Property delivers more than 8750m2 office space with flexible ancillary areas across five floors.
Sustainability is at the forefront, with the scheme aiming to achieve at least a ‘very good’ BREEAM rating to help compliance with Zero Carbon London targets. One element of the sustainability criteria has been the need to address noise from rooftop plant, to modulate its impact on the local working and residential population, prompting the inclusion of a louvred screen around the rooftop plant in the original planning designs.
Budgetary constraints precluded using a complete louvre acoustic solution to treat the whole 112m perimeter of the plant area. GRAHAM turned to Gilberts Blackpool- the UK’s leading independent air movement specialist- to devise a solution, that satisfied the noise attenuation, ensured adequate ventilation to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services behind, yet provided a visually attractive option as the rooftop included a green roof and terrace.
Gilberts devised a combination of acoustic solid panels, acoustic louvres and screening louvres to deliver the performance requirements, all powder coated to the client specification.
The complete 2.78m high screen delivers acoustic attenuation down to a weighted SRI of 20dB via Gilberts’ AP100 acoustic solid panels and ALSH/30 high performance louvres. Gilberts’ kitform WK50 screening louvre system was mechanically fixed to the front faces of the acoustic panels, acoustic louvres and 2no. single access doors to create a continuous louvred screen, thereby satisfying the planning requirement for a louvred appearance. To further optimise cost-efficiency, the louvre blades were mounted at pitches of 75mm rather than the standard 50mm.
The acoustic panels and acoustic high-performance louvres encapsulate a sound-absorbing infill to reduce noise transmission to the required level, with the louvres simultaneously providing weather protection and airflow to the screened plant. Gilberts’ WK50 screening louvre system further facilitates combined weather protection and ventilation, delivering up to 53% free area.
Gilberts’ Series WK is a new approach to screening louvres, focusing on a core system that can form the basis for all site-assembled screening design. A unique design of mullion allows screens up to 3m high to be erected without intermediate support, with a range of blades allowing infinite choice and enabling numerous performance and aesthetic requirements to be addressed in one screen. It is also fully compliant with current relevant regulatory requirements.
Rob Joyce, development director at GRAHAM, said: “The Gramophone Works provides state-of-the-art business facilities to support the needs and talents of the local community and workforce.
“We aimed to create a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that offers a real community feel. Gilberts’ support in devising and delivering the louvre screen was crucial to the result of a visually-appealing building that enables the building, its occupants and its neighbours to function positively.”
