Platform on architecture, interior design and landscape architecture
Technology played a key role in the design of the renovation of the Cascade cultural center in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. A water cooling system was installed on the roof of the theater building, requiring a sound barrier that had to meet both acoustic requirements and fit in with the architectural design. Modubar was approached to develop a suitable solution for this.
The noise barrier had already been included in the drawings and specified in the contract documents, but the reality turned out to be more complex. “The design as it appeared on the drawings could not be implemented exactly as drawn,” says Arjan Kick, project manager at Modubar. “We had to account for clearance for maintenance, airflow, piping, and existing skylights. As a result, we adjusted the design in consultation with the client and were able to fine-tune it further during construction.”
For the project, a highly absorbent SA45 panel in powder-coated anthracite was selected. According to Kick, that color was specifically requested by the architect so that the screen would blend in visually with the renovated building. The screen was given a sleek, flat appearance and was installed over a total length of more than twenty meters, with a height of nearly three meters.
Acoustic performance played an important role in the project. “These requirements vary depending on the situation,” said Kick. “For this application, a sound absorption of 11 dB was desired.” Modubar offers various levels of sound absorption, depending on the panel’s construction and the thickness of the mineral wool. The sound insulation rating of these panels is 30 dB, placing them in the highest category of sound insulation.
According to the company, technical systems such as heat pumps, air-handling units, and cooling systems are increasingly requiring additional noise-reduction measures. Since stricter regulations regarding noise at property lines took effect, demand has grown for solutions that combine technology with an aesthetically pleasing appearance. In this context, attention is paid not only to acoustic performance but also to integration into a building’s design.
Modubar uses principles similar to those of noise barriers along rail lines and highways for its noise barriers. The panels combine sound-insulating steel sheets with mineral rock wool and a protective mesh. According to the company, the space around the intake and exhaust vents of the installations is particularly important in this regard. A barrier must reduce noise without restricting the operation of the installation.
At Cascade, that combination of technology, maintenance requirements, and architecture came together in a single custom solution. Constructif was responsible for the implementation. According to Modubar, the project went smoothly, and the client is satisfied with the end result.
