Reuben College
Sensitive refurbishment of the iconic Radcliffe Science Library to create accommodation for a new Oxford University College.
Architects: FJC Studio and Purcell
Project Manager: CPC
Services Consultant: QODA Consulting
Cost Consultant: AECOM
Contractor: Morgan Sindall
We are honoured to have worked on the prestigious Reuben College, a project that required a sensitive balance between heritage preservation and modern functionality.
This case study highlights how our acoustic consultancy expertise contributed to the success of this Grade II listed building’s transformation.
Project Brief
The team’s brief for the project was to transform the Worthington and Jackson wings of the building to provide:
- A new, vibrant postgraduate college, the 39th Oxford College. The accommodation was to include teaching, lecture and recreation spaces as well as a number of offices.
- Improved accommodation for the Bodleian Libraries and for the librarians themselves.
The brief also included provisions for new kitchens, servery areas, and the refurbishment of a dining and events hall. Additionally, the building provides significant basement storage for artefacts from the British Museum and Bodleian collections.
Given the listed status of the building, mechanical ventilation was ruled out at an early stage. This was prohibited due to the space required and the potential impact on the historic building. Therefore, a natural ventilation strategy was pursued, and this was challenging with high external noise levels.
Collaboration and Analysis
Attune worked closely with the Sustainability and Building Services Engineers in their overheating analysis. We developed the new glazing strategy, to assess the likely future levels of noise to refurbished office and college spaces. The assessments included internal measurements of noise in existing spaces. Those results were then used to assess the proposed changes to the building and their effects on noise levels.
A secondary glazing scheme was implemented that not only improved the thermal performance of the building, but also reduced noise intrusion from traffic. We provided advice on the opening configurations for the window systems to achieve both the rapid ventilation rates and as much sound reduction as possible.
Acoustic Privacy
Advice was also given relating to acoustic privacy between spaces with advice on potential constructions. This was particularly challenging in the case of heritage detailing, such as original bookcases that would stay in place and would separate new rooms.
Reverberation Time Control
Suitable reverberation time control measures were also required, to fit in with the heritage constraints.
Generally, the amount of acoustic treatment was limited by the heritage constraints in refurbished areas. However, there were a number of specialist rooms that could be treated as ‘new construction’ enabling the achievement of excellent standards.
Comprehensive Scope
Our acoustic services scope included:
- A noise impact assessment as part of the successful planning application.
- Rigorous assessment of external noise intrusion and close working with the Building Services and Sustainability Engineers to develop the strategy for the relief of overheating.
- Assessments of sound insulation and acoustic privacy.
- Specification of reverberation time control measures and 3D acoustic modelling of the Dining Hall.
- Internal and external building services noise analysis.
- Extensive testing regimen to demonstrate compliance of the as-built project with the agreed criteria.
Result
The Team successfully combined heritage conservation with contemporary requirements on the Reuben College project to deliver a world-class institution. Attune’s acoustic solutions played a vital role in achieving this balance, ensuring the building’s usability and comfort for future generations.
The project’s outstanding sustainability performance has since been recognised in two awards. Reuben College won the Low Carbon Project of the Year at the OxPropFest and was a Green Plaque winner at the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards. Attune is proud to have played our part in achieving these awards. The project was also shortlisted for the Architect’s Journal Retrofit and Reuse 2024 Awards.
For more information about how our acoustic consultancy services can support your project, please contact us.