Impact sound insulation and sustainability combined
ROOTS in Hamburg's HafenCity is Germany's tallest wooden high-rise building – a flagship project for sustainable construction and forward-looking architecture. This extraordinary residential building, which combines wood, reinforced concrete and glass in a hybrid construction, focuses not only on aesthetics, but also on the consistent implementation of ecological and functional principles.
To ensure maximum living comfort, the acoustic properties of the outdoor areas also played a central role. The loggias with exposed wood, which act as a connecting element between the interior and exterior, were not only designed to be architecturally appealing, but also to meet the highest standards in terms of impact sound insulation.
Project overview
- REGUPOL sound and drain 22
- Impact sound insulation for outdoor areas with drainage function
Maximum living comfort thanks to effective impact sound insulation in loggias
REGUPOL sound and drain 22, an impact sound insulation with integrated drainage function specially developed for outdoor areas such as balconies, terraces and loggias, was used here. The product performs a dual function: it reliably reduces impact sound and at the same time ensures effective drainage under the floor covering – an essential feature, especially for weather-sensitive wooden structures.
The sound insulation requirements at ROOTS were high. To meet the criteria for the HafenCity environmental label in platinum, a maximum impact sound level of L’n,w ≤ 48 dB had to be achieved, among other things. In a solid timber construction such as ROOTS, this poses a particular challenge. Thanks to its highly advantageous material properties in terms of building physics, REGUPOL sound and drain 22 made an important contribution to achieving these values. In a supplementary study at the Austrian Institute for Wood Research, a structure using this product in combination with pedestal supports and paving slabs on a cross-laminated timber ceiling achieved a remarkable value of L’n,w + CI,50-2500 = 41 (+3) dB – clear evidence of the acoustic performance of the material.
Acoustic solution made from recycled material with integrated drainage function
In terms of sustainability, REGUPOL sound and drain 22 also fits perfectly into the overall concept of ROOTS. The insulation material consists of over 90 % recycled elastomers, so-called post-consumer recyclates, which are obtained from ELT (end-of-life tyres), for example. This means that the product not only helps to conserve primary resources, but also actively reduces the building's carbon footprint. The Cradle to Cradle Bronze certificate also confirms that the material can be returned to the production cycle at the end of its life.
The use of REGUPOL sound and drain 22 provided a sustainable, durable and technically impressive solution for the demanding outdoor areas of ROOTS Hamburg – perfectly in line with a project that combines comfort, sustainability and innovative construction.
