Residential reuse: Acoustics and making buildings livable

Abstract

Adapting an existing facility, whether it is industrial, educational, or commercial in nature, to residential uses, such as condominiums and lofts, poses many challenges to the design team. Among other things, the process must include maintaining historic character while addressing current code issues in the context of becoming familiar with and utilizing existing architecture and building systems, which may not always be well-documented or obvious. Of the many unique issues encountered in such adaptive reuse projects, acoustic concerns often present themselves, especially in terms of sound and vibration isolation and noise control within and between residential units. Some of the paramount concerns and pitfalls will be discussed in the context of relevant examples and past experiences.