Photo: Fera Palma Restaurant
Soundzipper Acoustic Consultants: Adrian Lo | Julian Martinez
The Challenge
Soundzipper was engaged by CocoSage SLU to conduct acoustic testing and suggest recommendations for Fera Palma restaurant, Mallorca. The client wanted to create a new alfresco dining area within the courtyard of the restaurant. They needed our acoustic consultants to design
a noise reduction solution for the patio area, a canopy and other mitigation systems to reduce noise
travelling to adjacent buildings to minimize nuisances. They were concerned about the noise disturbance caused by their customers to the neighbouring hotel and residential buildings and wanted to ensure that they were in full compliance with local noise regulations. The client also needed a non-permanent structure that could be easily constructed and moved around.
The Analysis
We had no access to visit the site and had to recreate the 3D model of the courtyard of the restaurant from plans and pictures provided by the client’s architect. A noise simulation was conducted within the Olive Tree Lab software to understand noise propagation within the courtyard.
The Design
The final design included an overhead noise barrier in the form of a pergola made with micro-perforated acrylic panels and a glass canopy. The glass canopy is comprised of a metal structure supporting 6 mm laminated glass with a 0.76mm PVB layer (Sound Reduction Index Rw 33). The canopy covers the dining areas and extends 90 cm into the access corridors to provide a larger acoustic shadow. The sides of the canopy are sealed with a timber trellis and a glass layer to contain noise escaping through the sides of the structure.
An acoustic wall lining consisting of a 30mm layer of Diathonite Acoustix plaster was installed on the back walls under the canopies, rated at a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.60. The plaster absorbs sound and minimizes the reflected sound that travels into the outdoor areas. Installing a sound barrier over the back of the canopy was recommended for reducing noise to the adjacent buildings. The sound reduction index of the barrier was concluded to be Rw 42.
Finally, a “green wall” was placed around the seating areas to help absorb sound.
The client was pleasantly satisfied with our results.
