MENSCH MEIER

About the Project
Mensch Meier is a collectively run club and event venue in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg. Art, parties and politics come together here. The site is located in a commercial area surrounded by residential and mixed-use areas.

Initial Situation
Events led to noise complaints in the surrounding residential areas. The soundproofing measures were intended to secure the club’s long-term operation and help ease the existing conflicts with the surrounding neighborhood.

Measures

1. Soundproofing and Acoustics on the Theater Floor
A plastered sand-lime brick wall was built as the exterior wall and fitted with soundproof windows. This closed the exterior façade.
In addition, acoustic elements were built to match the design of the space. These include an upper counter, a staircase and several seating areas. These were damped with fibre insulation material, helping to reduce secondary sound radiation. The empty spaces under the stairs were also damped with fibre insulation material.
The top parts of the sound system were suspended with vibration isolation. The bass speakers were installed in the DJ booth with vibration isolation.

2. Soundproofing and Acoustics in the Kneipe
An interior facing shell in dry construction was installed in the Kneipe. In front of the window façade, a new multi-layer structure was installed as a second facing shell, consisting of several flexible layers and a cavity filled with insulation material. In addition, two soundproof windows were installed.
The room acoustics were also improved. The interior wall was wallpapered and covered with sound-absorbing objects. The seating areas were damped with fibre insulation material, and the radiator cavities were closed with a wooden facing shell.

3. Ventilation and Smoke Extraction
Ventilation and smoke extraction systems were installed for the Theater Floor and the Kneipe. All ventilation ducts are fitted with silencers. The pipes are suspended from the ceiling with vibration isolation.

4. Heat Detectors and Fire Alarm System
Both rooms were equipped with heat detectors, and the fire alarm system was extended. This allows the rooms to be automatically cleared of smoke in the event of a fire and ensures that they can be properly monitored for fire safety.

5. Soundproof Door on the Theater Floor
The existing emergency exit door was relocated and replaced with a new door with sound insulation properties. Because the emergency exit was relocated, an emergency exit staircase was installed to provide a safe route for visitors.

Result
The measures improved the room acoustics and soundproofing on the Theater Floor and in the Kneipe. The windows, ventilation and fire safety systems were also adapted.