<span>The city of the future is a silent city</span>

Noise disrupts and reduces quality of life; in more sensitive individuals, it can even cause health problems. Schüco presented new solutions at BAU in Munich that help reduce noise levels in the interiors of buildings and the spread of noise outside on the street.

The increasing concentration of urban development and rising traffic noise lead to ever-growing noise pollution. The "city noise" not only disrupts but reduces the quality of life and can even cause illnesses. Therefore, at the BAU 2019 fair in Munich, Schüco presented new solutions for building facades that can reduce noise levels not only inside buildings and homes but also prevent the spreading of sound outside, commonly referred to as street noise. One of the most attractive innovations is the prototype of a noise-reducing ventilation module, Schüco ANC (Active Noise Canceling), in which a hidden microphone records external noise, and using special software, the speakers immediately generate corresponding "anti-noise". Thanks to the interference of sound waves, this cancels out the external noise, and the noise level noticeably decreases even with open windows. The company also presented other tools for working with acoustics in design. More at www.schueco.cz

Schüco prototype introduced at BAU 2019: The sliding unit ASE 80.HI Design Line is equipped with the noise-reducing ventilation module Schüco ANC (Active Noise Canceling) hidden in a housing within the wall. When the sliding unit is closed, the ANC ventilation unit is hidden. When ventilating, the ANC ventilation module is pulled out of the wall using the handle on the sliding wing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently issued the "Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region" aimed at protecting human health from noise. These guidelines recommend reducing street traffic noise levels to less than 53 decibels (dB), as traffic noise above this level can be harmful to human health. It's alarming that noise levels above 80 dB are commonly recorded on busy streets today. Therefore, window and facade manufacturers face the challenge of finding new directions and solutions in design construction and different types of surface treatments that can be implemented as soon as possible. Schüco has already responded to this challenge and developed new products and prototypes of solutions that reduce noise levels throughout the building envelope.

Schüco AWS 90 AC.SI window reduces outside noise even during ventilation

The new window solution Schüco AWS 90 AC.SI (aluminum window system, building depth 90 mm, acoustic, highly thermally insulated windows) reduces noise from the exterior even during natural ventilation when the window is in a tilted position. This effect is achieved using specially developed central seals and the introduction of fresh air through the ventilation frame. In this way, sound is diffused, and noise is significantly reduced. When the window is tilted, noise reduction of 31 dB is achieved while ensuring natural ventilation. The window solution offers an exceptionally high level of user comfort, especially in residential and office buildings in noisy urban areas.

Schüco prototype presented at BAU 2019: ANC (Active Noise Canceling) modules hidden in the AWS VV ventilation wing reduce noise levels.

Hidden Schüco ANC ventilation modules cancel out external noise with "anti-noise"

Schüco also presented prototypes of two other ways to reduce the spread of noise from the exterior to the interior. In the first case, there are ventilation modules actively reducing noise, Schüco ANC (Active Noise Canceling). Speakers and microphones are installed in the ventilation channel of the ANC ventilation module. The microphone detects the level of external noise, and with the help of special software, the speakers immediately generate corresponding "anti-noise," meaning sound at a similar frequency as the external noise. These two sound waves interfere, meaning that the noise and "anti-noise" cancel each other out in such a way that the overall noise level is noticeably reduced. The ANC ventilation module will be installed in the opaque AWS VV ventilation wing and in the sliding unit ASE 80.HI. The sliding unit ASE 80.HI Design Line is equipped with ANC ventilation module hidden in a housing (pocket design) within the wall. When the sliding unit is closed, the ANC ventilation unit is hidden. If ventilation is needed, it is sufficient to use the sliding wing's handle to pull the ANC ventilation module out of the wall.

Eliminating the spread of noise outdoors through sound absorption

Reducing noise spread in urban agglomerations, commonly referred to as street noise, can be significantly aided by exterior facades that absorb sound. Unlike ordinary building elements, they tend to absorb rather than reflect sound. With noise-damping components, up to 80% sound absorption can be achieved.
Schüco introduced four prototypes that allow integrating absorptive units into the construction of the building's outer shell. The first example is the Schüco FACID Silence textile facade, an absorptive unit integrated into the facade. The second example is the perforated exterior cladding with sound-dampening material. The third version, which is equally visually appealing and technically functional, eliminates sound with micro-perforated pilasters (a pilaster is a relief sculptural architectural element resembling a column, but flat, serving merely decorative purposes, projecting from the facade). The fourth example of sound absorption is represented by lamellas in sunshades made from perforated sheet metal. This acoustic shading is based on the Schüco ALB system.

Tools for Acoustic Design

With the applications SoundCal and Digital Acoustics Lab, Schüco will soon launch two new tools to help determine the noise reduction effect of window and facade elements. Quickly calculated reliable data on noise reduction values will assist in selecting appropriate glazing and determining the best frame and glazing combinations.
The SoundCal software calculates the weighted sound insulation index RW for windows and facades from Schüco. The result of the simulation can also be heard. The calculations are carried out according to the standards DIN 4109-2: 2016-07 and DIN EN 12354. The value calculated based on the size and distribution of the unit as well as the profile system and glazing assists in design.
Digital Acoustics Lab (DAL) is a cloud-based application. It works on the basis of sound frequency, and developers, architects, and clients can use it to determine the effects of noise transmission through Schüco windows and facades. Again, the simulation result can be audibly experienced. Various facade systems and glazing are compared across the entire acoustic frequency range. Architects can use the software to check window and facade specifications, and clients can verify the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

Acoustic planning tools: Schüco with the SoundCal and Digital Acoustics Lab applications brings two new tools for determining the noise reduction effect of window and facade units.