SO36
About the project
SO36 is one of Berlin-Kreuzberg’s long-established clubs and cultural venues. Located on Oranienstraße, it has been an important part of the neighbourhood’s music and cultural scene for decades.
Initial situation
In order to reduce sound emissions from the event hall towards the inhabited front building, a soundproofing vestibule was built in the area of the bar exit.
Previously, drinks were stored in a wooden structure in the courtyard, which had only one door. During events, music and speech were clearly audible in the backyard, and there were occasional complaints from neighbours. At the height of the residents’ windows, music and speech were clearly perceptible, with low-frequency levels of 60–70 dB measured in the range between 40 and 100 Hz.
Measures
1. Construction of a soundproofing vestibule
The existing wooden structure was removed and replaced by a new building structure that was completely acoustically decoupled from the existing building.
2. Room-in-room construction
The new vestibule was built as a room-in-room system. Several layers of acoustic insulation were installed in a separate framework that does not touch the existing walls. The ceiling was also equipped with an acoustic insulation system.
3. Reduction of structure-borne and low-frequency sound
The complete decoupling of the new structure from the existing building significantly reduces the transmission of structure-borne sound, particularly in the low-frequency range.
Result
After the construction work, speech and music from the venue were no longer perceptible in the backyard. Low-frequency sound was reduced to a level below the general street noise and was no longer perceptible.
A survey conducted among the neighbouring residents also showed a clear improvement in the noise situation, with consistently positive feedback.
The complete acoustic decoupling of the structure proved particularly effective in reducing structure-borne sound and significantly improving the sound situation for the surrounding neighbourhood.
