BSE’s Acoustics team were recently involved in delivering acoustic solutions to Powerlink North (or North Link). This project encompassed BSE delivering the design and development of additional commercial workspaces for Powerlink's Virginia site, based in Brisbane, QLD. The space was formerly utilised as an industrial site, before the conversion into the existing commercial space, consisting of a mix of workspaces, private offices, meeting rooms, and general multi-use spaces.
Our team was engaged to navigate a solution to an ongoing noise issue. Sound from an adjoining warehouse, specifically the use of forklifts, was clearly audible, entering the office-space via a set of inter-connecting sliding doors between the two warehouses. During the initial site visit, it was abundantly clear that the large warehouse volume and bare concrete finishes would be problematic for workplace productivity.
BSE undertook benchmark testing of activity in the adjacent warehouse, and it was determined that the existing sliding doors did not provide enough separation between the adjacent warehouses. Additionally, reverberation testing conducted of the warehouse identified that reverberation inside the warehouse was at very high levels (>6 seconds, which sounds like an echo chamber).
Reverberation testing can be achieved through popping balloons and measuring the sounds, as demonstrated in the photos. The level of finishes and the room volume inside a space affects the reverberation time, which is a measure of sound decay. Impulse testing for reverberation time involves the generation of a loud noise (balloon burst or similar) inside an enclosed space and measurement of time it takes for sound to decay, typically by 60 decibels.
Our team presented separation from the adjacent warehouse and air handling units from the proposed new workspaces as a suitable solution, this was achieved through the use of separation corridors. Reverberation control was achieved by using carefully selected materials, such as carpets, ceiling tiles, and wall panels.
All the acoustic requirements were implemented successfully, and it is anticipated that the Powerlink staff will enjoy a high level of workplace well-being.
Client: Generate Property Group
Architect: Woods Bagot
Services: BSE (QLD)
Acoustics: BSE (Acoustics)