Charterhouse School
Attune provided expert acoustic consultancy for this heritage project, which was shortlisted for the prestigious 2023 Architect’s Journal (AJ) Retrofit Award.
The project converted an outdated café and dining room into a bright, modern space, now named ‘Oak’ by the school. This renovation not only refreshed the appearance but also improved functionality for both students and staff.
Attune conducted a thorough review of the existing spaces, which included an external noise survey and impact assessment. Our noise assessment focused on the noise caused by replacing the old kitchen extraction equipment. This noise could affect nearby boarding students and staff living close by. To address this, we designed noise control measures and shared them with the Mechanical Engineer for implementation.
Inside the café, we provided guidance on sound insulation for the walls and doors between the new space and nearby rooms. These recommendations helped ensure that noise from the café would not disturb surrounding areas.
Reverberation time was a key concern for the new space. To manage this, we carried out detailed acoustic modelling. This helped us develop a plan that included high-level acoustic panels and wooden slat absorbers. These features were carefully placed to reduce noise build-up during busy periods.
With these acoustic solutions, we ensured the new café is both visually appealing and acoustically optimised. Our focus on sound insulation, noise control, and managing reverberation helped create a welcoming and functional space for everyone at the school.