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About the project
://about blank has been part of Berlin’s club culture since 2010. Located near Ostkreuz, the venue combines several indoor spaces with a large outdoor area and hosts a diverse programme of music and cultural events. The club is collectively operated and has become an established part of Berlin’s independent cultural scene.

Initial situation
Since its opening, the club has regularly faced noise complaints from both the immediate and more distant neighbourhood. The focus of the project was therefore on structural soundproofing measures inside the club.

Measures

1. Replacement of exterior doors
Five existing exterior doors in the two guest rooms were replaced with steel soundproof doors. Two smaller doors leading to the conservatory and the club’s outdoor area were bricked up and replaced with a new, wider and offset soundproof door.

2. Sealing of the bay window
A strip foundation with a wall was built on the street side and outside the building to completely seal the sound leakage at the bay window.

3. Soundproof windows
Five previously single-glazed windows in the event and bar areas were replaced with soundproof windows.

4. Adaptation of windows for ventilation and smoke extraction
In guest room 1, one window was adapted so that it could be fully opened for smoke extraction. Two windows in the bar area were fitted with tilt-and-turn functions to allow ventilation after events. Two additional windows in guest room 1 were replaced with soundproof windows, one of which was also fitted with a tilt-and-turn function for ventilation outside event operations. A former window opening in guest room 1 was permanently closed.

5. Preservation of the club’s atmosphere
To preserve the club’s atmospheric and stylistic character, parts of the windows were covered with film and the doors in guest room 1 were repainted.

6. Sound engineering forecast
The acoustics office proposed a sound engineering forecast with different sound reinforcement options for the outdoor area. Thanks to the funding, this could be implemented to develop sustainable strategies for the club’s future operations.

Result
Since the soundproofing measures were implemented, significant improvements in noise levels have been observed. The sound reaching the outside has been noticeably reduced, which is also perceptible without sound measurement equipment.
No further noise complaints have been received from the neighbourhood since the measures were completed.