Circular spaces, and especially those with glass, are very challenging acoustically. The glass facade appeals to the need for political transparency but required different techniques in design to deliver the required acoustic performance. The two main methodologies used were absorption and redirection. 

Instead of standard double-glazed glass façade, a super large gap was created with two separate glass façades enclosing a circulation passage to eliminate external noise intrusions into the chamber space. The angled internal façade created a bowl-shaped volume that changed the geometry of the inner space. This, in combination with the redirection of energy and the sound-absorptive surfaces (sound absorptive “petal” ceiling, perforated copper, perforated gypsum and wood timber slats), enabling a very high quality of speech transmission between the podium and the ground floor and upper balcony meeting participants, even without microphones and loudspeaker assistance.  

Lin explains that the highly absorbent ceiling was created with a 100mm layer of rockwool over which a fabric was draped in a flower-petal pattern. Typically, the high proportion of cost sit with the air permeable or perforated finishes, as the cost of the absorptive materials behind are much less in comparison.  

For more information, contact LINSPACE: 

Tel: +27 82 455 6141 

Email: office@linspace.co.za 

Website: https://www.linspace.co.za 

Building & Decor

Everything you need in the built environment

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn