Mei Wu Acoustics
The following are typical acoustical and vibration issues associated with residential projects:
- Building Code acoustical requirements
- Sound isolation through walls
- Sound transmission through floor/ceiling assemblies
- Impact sound isolation of floor/ceiling assemblies
- Plumbing noise control
- Elevator noise control
- Washer dryer, garage door, trash shoot noise control
- Traffic noise through windows
- Heating and cooling system noise control
- Acoustics of senior living facilities
- Acoustics credits re LEED or Green Community Criteria or Green Point Rating system
- Acoustical testing (NC, STC and IIC)
Projects > Residential Spaces
Our work on residential projects varies from recommending high quality acoustics and sound isolation for luxury residential buildings to recommending low cost construction details to meet building codes and basic acoustical requirements. The following are a few recent residential projects.
Meridian Apartments, San Bruno CA
This project included the design and construction of a 5-story 300-unit apartment building with a 5-6 story "embedded" parking structure and detached recreation and business center. The building was located near major freeways and the San Francisco International Airport. We were responsible for all aspects of acoustics.
Santa Clara University Residential Hall, Santa Clara CA
This was a wood frame 4-story building including housing for 260 students and 5 faculty members and a common area with classrooms and seminar rooms. We were responsible for all aspects of acoustics.
330 & 335 Berry Street, San Francisco, CA
This project included two new residential buildings with total 131 condominium units plus parking garages. Each podium includes a central landscaped courtyard. The building was designed to achieve the equivalent of a LEED certification. MWA was responsible for all aspects of acoustics and vibration.
Paragon Apartments, San Bruno, CA
This was a new, high density 4-story apartment building over a 2-level concrete parking garage (one of the parking levels was below grade). The building had 150,000 square feet spread across its 185 units and parking deck. We were responsible for all aspects of acoustics.
Acoustical Testing in Existing Residential Buildings, CA
MWA conducted ambient noise testing, sound isolation testing (STC and NIC) and impact sound testing (IIC) in many existing residential buildings, compared test results with building codes, and provided noise mitigation recommendations.
Mission Street Housing Project, San Francisco, CA
This project has over 100 rental units for fixed-income housing constructed on 13 levels. The ground floor has retail space, community space, and supportive services space. The ground level has outdoor courtyard space and a children’s play area. The project requires a LEED silver rating at a minimum. We are responsible for all aspects of acoustics.
Tannery Arts Center Buildings 11 and 12, Santa Cruz, CA
This low-income housing project was a wood-construction, 3-story buildings with a total area of 180,000 square feet. The units were artist-live-and-work lofts. We were responsible for all aspects of acoustics.
Sustainable Community Number One, Boise, ID
This was a 16-story 106 unit condominium building with retail and office communities, located near a busy intersection in downtown Boise. The rooftop had an outdoor shared patio/lanai barbecue space. We recommended a low profile floor-ceiling design to minimize building height. Interior partition alternatives were suggested for space savings and recycled materials were studied as effective solutions. Design issues included magnetic elevators, steel stairs, and low noise toilets. Many features were sustainable by design, such as photovoltaic power and garbage composting. This project was put on hold.