Transformative acoustic design solutions, delivered via engagement and computation.

Choosing Buro Happold for acoustic consultancy services means commissioning world-class specialists in noise and vibration design for architecture. We don’t diversify, we don’t do assessments of windfarms or power stations and we think beyond ‘code compliance’. We have assembled a team of international experts in the acoustic performance of buildings who work with our clients to provide engineering solutions to outcome-focused aspirations. 

Our acoustics services


  • Sound insulation design
  • Acoustic surveys, benchmarking and commissioning
  • Room acoustics design and reverberation control
  • Venue, performance space and concert hall design
  • Structural vibration isolation and dynamics
  • Control of external noise break-in and facade and ventilation design
  • Audio-visual and sound system design
  • Design and assessment of internal and external building services noise and vibration
  • Public address and voice alarm design

Outcome focused design

‘Reverse engineering’ from the people-centric results our clients want from their buildings, we develop and use the most advanced computational tools to inform our designs.

Examples include the HOME Theatre complex where we created a mathematical prediction of the response to mounting the building on springs to mitigate groundborne rail vibration. And where we used novel modelling techniques to predict how much colleagues would be distracted by each other’s noise in an open-plan office for a well-known web giant’s European HQ in central London.  

Communication

But it’s not about the tools – our focus is on being able to communicate the results to our clients across key technical areas such as noise break-in, internal sound transmission, reverberation control, building services noise, structural dynamics, audio-visual design, PA/VA, and vibration. A key focus is engagement. An example of this is our work with prestige gym chain Equinox who often retrofit their facilities inside existing listed buildings.

Our relationship allows us to understand the unique aspirations of each site, and tailor a dynamics, vibration isolation and sound insulation solution to each development based on the specific activities proposed. Another example was the new Faculty of Arts building at Warwick University, where a significant part of our role was simply to listen to the requirements of the different faculties and translate these into the language of engineering solutions.

Challenge

We’re excited and motivated by the challenging, complex and difficult. Our team loves applying industry-leading innovation to even the toughest challenges. From the ultra-high-tech, such as the award-winning Dyson campus and Imperial College Michael Uren buildings. To the curiously unusual, such as the one-of-a-kind architectural form of the Museum of the Future.

In focus

Performance acoustics

Buro Happold’s performance acoustics specialists help sculpt performance spaces to realise acoustical excellence. We start with the artistic vision and apply our technical expertise to bring it to life.

Our unique in-house software tool allows us to prototype venues in real time. Using this, we can change the layout, volume, shape and configuration of a performance space to show – instantly – the impact on acoustic performance.