Barnsbury Place

  • RBA Client:Grainger Ltd/Mount Anvil
  • Contractor:Mount Anvil
  • Architect:Pollard Thomas Edwards/MGM Associates
  • Project Value:£56 million
  • Start Date:2007
  • Completion Date:2010

Barnsbury Place is an acclaimed residential project located in the heart of Islington. The development comprises 95 apartments, of which 80 are converted from former Edwardian school buildings. 

RBA Acoustics were at first appointed by Grainger Ltd via architects, Pollard Thomas Edwards, to noise survey the site. This information was then used to provide recommendations for the design of the external building fabric in order to achieve satisfactory levels of traffic noise break-in to the flats.

Following acquisition of the site by Mount Anvil, RBA were retained to advise upon all internal building fabric elements in order to achieve Part E Building Regulations requirements.  The variety of construction types and inherent space limitations associated with the conversion buildings presented a particular design challenge.

For the existing school buildings, the baseline sound insulation provided by the existing clinker concrete floors was first established through on-site testing.  Following this, acoustic treatment options could be developed for the various separating structures.  Recommendations were also given for the new-build blocks; a mixture of in-situ concrete and traditional build frames – to ensure Part E compliance.

As well as providing advice on sound insulation between residential units, community rooms are also found directly adjacent residential flats and recommendations were given to ensure enhanced levels of acoustic separation between these areas.

Regarded as a unique living environment, Barnsbury Place recently won Best Conversion at the Evening Standard Homes & Property Awards 2011 and is the best selling development in Islington for 2010.

Photos courtesy of Mont Anvil