The Lane Community College Alveolus: A case study of sound isolation in an educational building with naturally ventilated cooling

Abstract

Providing adequate sound isolation in a building that incorporates naturally ventilated cooling presents many challenges and requires attention to detailing, along with close coordination between the acoustical consultant, architect, and project mechanical engineer. This presentation will walk through the design decisions and considerations for sound isolation at the Health and Wellness Facility for the Lane Community College in Eugene Oregon. The Lane Community College—Health and Wellness Facility is a LEED Gold certified education building that uses natural ventilation for building cooling. The building incorporates a 38-foot high by 180-foot long “lung”, dubbed the Alveolus. This lung bisects the building along its full length and acts as a central chimney for evacuating warm air. Additionally, the “lung” space is constructed of translucent material so the large space can act as a light well. Using a clear (or semi-clear) polymer paneling system, the ventilation, natural lighting, and sound isolation needs were successfully balanced to meet the needs and desires of the Lane Community College.