Tall building acoustics and the challenges of sustainability

Abstract All buildings with noise‐sensitive spaces, and residential occupancy in particular, require noise mitigation to be incorporated throughout the architectural, structural and building services design. For tall buildings, the number and type of noise and vibration sources increase, particularly where sustainable design features are incorporated, such as natural ventilation, that can reduce the acoustic performance of facades. Additional noise sources located on and near the facade of a building and the reduced noise isolation afforded by the facade have a detrimental effect on the acoustical amenity within the occupied spaces. This paper reviews noise source identification and mitigation for tall buildings, and considers additional acoustic issues associated with green buildings. In particular, approaches to achieving improved noise transmission loss performance across facades, and the identification and mitigation of the effects of noise and vibration sources located internal and external to the building are considered. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.