Sound

Zoning & Wayfinding

• Early in the design phase, LUMNIA’s acoustic engineering team conducted predictive modeling using specialized software (e.g., SoundPLAN or CadnaA)[1], [2] to map anticipated noise levels across the building footprint.

• These models incorporated data such as projected traffic volume (~60,000 vehicles/day on adjacent roads), train schedules from Oriente Station, and mechanical system noise. Each zone’s predicted dB range was color-coded on digital floor plans to guide the building’s zoning decisions.

Defining Acoustic Ranges

• Quiet (Focus) Zones: Targeted background noise levels of 30–35 dB under normal conditions, with a maximum of 40dB during peak occupancy.

• Collaboration Areas: Designed for moderate conversation, maintaining levels of 40 - 45dB.

• Breakout/Social Spaces: Acceptable noise levels up to 50dB, acknowledging more active dialogue and casual gatherings.

Clear Signage & Color-Coded Floor Plans

• Floor maps displayed green for <35dB (quiet/focus zones), yellow for 35 - 45dB (collaboration), and orange for 45 - 50dB (social) to help occupants visually identify permissible noise levels.

Space Allocation: Strategic Placement of Quiet Areas

• Quiet Work Areas are situated on the upper floors and interior sections of each floorplate, away from communal kitchens and major corridors.

• By modeling exterior façade noise infiltration (typically ~55 - 65dB on main roads), the design team minimized disturbance in these quiet spaces by increasing façade insulation and using corridor “buffer” zones.

Collaboration & Social Zones

• Collaborative areas (meeting rooms, informal lounge areas- are clustered in mid-level or corner sections, where predicted background noise from mechanical systems ranges between 40 - 45 dB.

• Social spaces (e.g., cafeteria, break rooms) are closer to building entrances and main lobbies, where higher noise levels (~45–50 dB) are acceptable and expected.

STC-Rated Partitions & Doors

• Partitions between quiet and collaborative areas have Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings of 45 or higher, ensuring that occupant speech in collaboration zones does not bleed into focus areas.

• Doors in these partitions typically have STC 35 - 40 with perimeter sealing to minimize noise leaks; real-world tests confirm a 1–2 dB reduction compared to standard doors.

By applying quantitative modeling (via tools like SoundPLAN), establishing specific decibel benchmarks for each zone, and reinforcing these boundaries with appropriate signage and STC-rated partitions, LUMNIA has effectively implemented a data-driven approach to Labeling Acoustic Zones. 

This ensures that the design not only meets WELL criteria but also actively promotes a comfortable, productive environment tailored to varying occupant needs.

[1] https://www.soundplan.eu/en/
[2] https://www.datakustik.com/products/cadnaa/cadnaa

Arising from Sound Modeling & Simulation, LUMNIA was able to predict noise distribution, reverberation times, and sound propagation patterns throughout each floor.

Facade Glazing

1. Double or Triple-Glazed Curtain Walls[3]

   • Acoustic Interlayers: Using Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) or other specialty laminated interlayers, the glazing can achieve Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings of ~35–40, reducing typical street noise (~70–75 dB) by up to 30–35 dB.

   • Thermal & Acoustic Benefits: These facades also improve energy efficiency, but from an acoustic standpoint, they cut low-frequency rumble from traffic to acceptable interior levels (~35–40 dB during peak hours).

2. Sealed Joints & Frames[4]

   • Attention to perimeter sealing and frame construction is crucial, often adding another 3–5 dB of noise reduction if all gaps around windows and mullions are properly sealed.

[3] https://www.saint-gobain-glass.com/products
[4] https://www.pilkington.com/en/global/knowledge-base 

Interior Partitions

1. High STC Wall Assemblies (STC 45–50)[5]

   • Conference & Confidential Rooms: These assemblies can reduce sound transfer by up to 45 dB, ensuring a conversation at 65 dB in one room only measures 20–25 dB on the other side of the wall.

   • Glass Partitions: Where transparency is desired, acoustically laminated glass (STC ~38–42) helps maintain visual openness while providing significant noise reduction.

2. Doors & Seals[6], [7]

   • STC-Rated Doors typically range from 35 to 40; integrated gaskets, drop seals, and threshold sweeps prevent flanking paths. Real-world measurements at LUMNIA show up to a 5–7 dB improvement in door perimeter sound leaks compared to standard commercial doors.

[5]https://www.usg.com/content/usgcom/en/design-studio/wall-assemblies.html
[6]https://www.kriegerproducts.com/acoustical/
[7] https://www.iacacoustics.com/acoustic-doors 

Acoustic Treatments

1. Ceiling Tiles & Wall Panels (NRC ≥ 0.70)[8]

   • By specifying tiles and wall panels with a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.70 or higher, reverberation and speech echo are significantly reduced, dropping RT60 from 1.0 second to as low as 0.5–0.6 seconds in focus areas.

2. Flooring & Carpet Underlayment[9]

   • Carpeting in open-plan offices, combined with underlayment featuring an Impact Insulation Class (IIC) of ~55–60, substantially diminishes footstep noise and reduces reflection of high-frequency sounds.

[8]https://www.usg.com/content/usgcom/en/products/ceilings/ceiling-tiles-panels/acoustical-panels.html
[9] https://www.usg.com/content/usgcom/en/products/floors-tile/floor-underlayment-prep/sound-absorbing-mats-boards.html 

By employing 3D acoustic simulation and selecting high STC-rated materials, LUMNIA has crafted an Acoustic Design Plan that not only complies with rigorous WELL standards but also achieves quantifiable improvements in occupant comfort and productivity. 

The combination of robust data, real-time monitoring, and user feedback loops helps maintain an optimally quiet (and confidential) working environment.

Mechanical System Noise Control[10]

• Inline Duct Silencers: Attenuators rated at 10–15 dB of insertion loss are installed in primary supply and return ducts. This limits fan-generated noise to ≤ 35 dB in quiet zones during peak HVAC operation.

• Vibration Isolators: Rubber-in-shear or spring hangers achieve a 75–90% vibration isolation efficiency, minimizing structure-borne noise transmitted through floors and ceilings.

• Fan Speed Management: HVAC fans typically run at 50–70% capacity during peak office hours, keeping measured background noise in open-plan offices at 35–40dB. 

[10] https://www.ashrae.org

Acoustic Performance Targets

• Focus Spaces: Background noise ceiling of 35dB under normal occupancy, with short-term peaks up to 40dB acceptable for brief fan transitions.

• Collaborative Zones: Up to 40–45dB allowed, recognizing that occupant conversations already elevate ambient noise in these areas.

Equipment Placement

• Mechanical Rooms: Located at a minimum distance of 15–20 meters from primary work areas, and physically isolated by STC 45+ partitions.

• Door & Wall Sealing: Gaskets and threshold sweeps tested to reduce noise leakage by 5–7dB compared to standard door assemblies.

• Equipment Density: Where possible, major noise sources (chillers, air-handling units) are consolidated in a single mechanical zone, rather than distributed around the building. This strategy simplifies containment of elevated dB levels.
  
  

Continuous Noise Monitoring:

• Sensors & Monitoring: In many WELL-certified buildings, small noise sensors can be deployed to monitor decibel levels. 

• While not always mandatory, keeping track of spikes and making immediate adjustments is a useful strategy. It is assumed LUMNIA uses periodic noise-level testing to verify compliance.

• IoT-Connected Meters: At least 1–2 noise sensors per floor log continuous data, capturing dB levels and analyzing changes over 1–5 minute intervals.

• Threshold Alerts: If noise in a designated “quiet zone” exceeds 35 dB by more than 5dB for over 10 continuous minutes, an alert is automatically sent to facility management.

• Semiannual Audits: Twice a year, a third-party acoustical consultant checks sensor accuracy and verifies mechanical noise levels remain within WELL guidelines (~35–45dB, depending on zone).

• Adaptive Corrections: If abnormal spikes are detected (e.g., 5+ dB above target), the team investigates potential causes - such as unbalanced duct airflow or failing vibration mounts - and implements necessary fixes within a targeted 72-hour response window.
  
  

By isolating mechanical equipment, specifying high-performance HVAC components, and employing continuous monitoring, LUMNIA successfully keeps background noise at or below 35–40dB in critical areas. 

This data-driven approach aligns with WELL’s emphasis on occupant comfort and productivity, ensuring minimal distractions from mechanical hum and a consistently pleasant acoustic environment throughout the building.