Acoustic study in rehabilitation: BU SHS Pont de Bois, University of Lille
The acoustic refurbishment of the BU SHS Pont de Bois illustrates the added value of having an acoustic design office involved from the outset of a refurbishment project.
- Context: a university library between silence and intelligibility
- Overall mission: the role of the acoustic design office
- Control cell measurements: a rigorous experimental approach
- Results and input for project management
- Conclusion
Context: a university library between silence and intelligibility
In an educational facility, acoustic comfort is not a design accessory – it’s a condition of use.
The refurbishment of the SHS Pont de Bois university library in Villeneuve-d’Ascq is a precise illustration of this reality. The challenge was to provide users with an environment conducive to individual concentration, documentary research and exchange, while complying with the regulatory requirements applicable to establishments open to the public. This type of program raises issues of sound insulation, absorption and intelligibility that can only be properly anticipated through a structured acoustic study.
Overall mission: the role of the acoustic design office
SIM Engineering was involved in this project as part of a global building acoustics mission, working alongside the project management team. This position upstream of the worksite is decisive: it enables acoustic constraints to be integrated right from the design phase, guiding construction choices and guaranteeing consistency between comfort objectives, applicable acoustic standards and technical feasibility.
The acoustics department carried out all the preliminary analyses, from the acoustic diagnosis of the existing building to the validation of the materials selected for the refurbishment. This comprehensive approach avoids costly rework during the construction phase, and ensures that the final deliverable complies with regulations.
Structured intervention upstream of the worksite
The acoustics expert mobilized on this project worked directly with the project management teams to define the performance levels to be achieved and select the appropriate technical solutions. Noise regulations applicable to higher education buildings impose precise requirements in terms of airborne sound insulation and reverberation time – parameters that are integrated right from the design stage.
Acoustic measurements on a control cell: a rigorous experimental approach
Prior to general deployment, SIM Engineering carried out acoustic measurements on a test cell. The aim was to assess the real-world performance of the absorption and insulation materials selected, under conditions close to those on the project.
These tests enabled us to characterize the absorption coefficient (α) of the materials tested – in particular high-density mineral fiber products – taking into account two decisive parameters. Firstly, material thickness and density directly affect low-frequency performance, which is often underestimated in the design phase. Secondly, the installation geometry – dihedral or bevelled – was evaluated in a reverberant room to measure its impact on overall absorption.
From acoustic simulation to experimental validation
Acoustic simulation had made it possible to anticipate the sound behavior of the spaces. Measurements on a control cell then validated or adjusted these calculation hypotheses. This dual approach – numerical modeling and experimental verification – is characteristic of the high standards SIM Engineering applies to its acoustic diagnostics and consultancy services.
Results and concrete benefits for project managers
The data from the test cell measurements were used to produce a detailed acoustic report, which was sent to the project management team before work began. This document was used to validate the chosen solutions, adjust certain implementation details and provide a solid contractual basis for site supervision.
In terms of user comfort, the solutions validated aim to control reverberation time in the different areas of the library – silent reading spaces, group work rooms, circulation zones – by adapting the acoustic treatment to each configuration. The expected result is a differentiated sound environment, clear to the user and in line with the objectives set by the program.
Conclusion
The acoustic refurbishment of the BU SHS Pont de Bois illustrates the added value of an acoustic design office involved from the outset of a refurbishment project. The combination of a rigorous acoustic study, experimental measurements and ongoing technical support means that regulatory compliance can be secured, and user comfort improved over the long term.
For any public or community facility rehabilitation project requiring building acoustics expertise, contact SIM Engineering via sim-engineering.com or consult related articles on acoustics in educational establishments.