Successful construction projects arise where different areas of expertise come together at an early stage. Through our consultancy services for planners and clients, we therefore support architects, building physics firms and public and private clients right from the planning stage.

As a planner and client consultant (PBB), Jamal Harrab supports projects from the initial contact right through to implementation. This involves not only presenting our products and systems, but above all understanding our clients’ requirements, analysing technical challenges together and developing the best possible solution for each project.

Personal interaction lays the foundation for a collaborative partnership. An initial meeting often leads to long-term relationships and specific projects, in which we support our clients with technical expertise, experience and practical assistance.

From the first contact to the joint project

A recent example of the advice we provide to planners and building owners is our collaboration with the ARNDT GEIGER HERRMANN plc from Zurich. Initial contact was made through a face-to-face visit, during which we presented our systems, products and technical services.

The initial focus was on getting to know one another, understanding the planning team’s requirements and exploring possible solutions. At the same time, we were able to demonstrate how our planning and client consultancy services can provide support right from the early stages of a project.

Step by step, this initial exchange developed into a concrete collaboration. Today, we support the project by providing technical advice as well as structural calculations and verifications. This project partnership was forged through expertise, trust and a shared objective.

Technical support right from the planning stage

In addition to our Products and systems Above all, we contribute our expertise in building physics and our personalised advice to projects. Our technical services complement the work of the specialist consultants involved and support them in addressing specific issues.

Our range of services includes, amongst other things:

• Building physics calculations and verifications
• Thermal and moisture protection certificates in accordance with SIA 180
• Sound insulation verification for building components in accordance with SIA 181
• Acoustic design calculations in accordance with SIA 181/1 and DIN 18041
• Support with detailed technical queries and planning documentation

However, we do not seek to replace the work of specialist designers. Our technical services complement their expertise in areas where we can make an additional contribution through our knowledge of systems, materials and applications. In this way, we provide targeted support to design teams on specific issues and in developing suitable solutions.

For our customers, this means streamlined coordination processes and technical support that is directly linked to the specific project and the proposed solutions.

Plan ahead and ensure quality in the long term

During the early planning phase, many decisions are made that have a long-term impact on a building’s quality, functionality and cost-effectiveness.

Thermal and moisture protection, sound insulation and room acoustics must all be integrated with the building’s design and its intended use. If these requirements are taken into account at an early stage, technical challenges can be identified in good time and specific details optimised.

This provides greater certainty in planning and can help to minimise the need for subsequent adjustments during the execution phase.

It is precisely here that we see an important role for our planning and client advisory services: we contribute our product and application expertise at an early stage and liaise directly with those involved in the project.

Room acoustics as a key component of modern buildings

One of the key areas of focus in the current project undertaken by the planning and client consultancy in Zurich is room acoustics. High-quality room acoustics make a significant contribution to the quality of a building and the well-being of its users. Particularly in office buildings, good speech intelligibility, reduced background noise and a pleasant working atmosphere are crucial factors.

As part of the project in Zurich, we examined various areas of use individually, including offices, meeting rooms, a studio, a multi-purpose area, a kitchenette and a lounge.

The calculations took into account, amongst other things, room dimensions and volume, the intended use, surface areas, furnishings, occupancy levels and sound-absorbing surfaces. The calculations are based on the requirements of DIN 18041.

It is crucial that each room is considered individually. A meeting room has different requirements to a larger office area or a multi-purpose space. The target values for reverberation time therefore differ accordingly.

For the meeting room under investigation, which has a volume of around 48 m³, the target reverberation time is, for example, 0.48 seconds. The calculated average reverberation time for the variant under consideration is 0.47 seconds without people and 0.45 seconds with people. The requirements of DIN 18041 are therefore met in the calculation.

In other areas examined, the calculated values also fall within the specified ranges. For Office GL, for example, a target value of 0.64 seconds was set. The calculation yields an average of 0.59 seconds when unoccupied and 0.58 seconds when occupied.

In the larger office area, with a volume of around 287 m³, a target value of 0.77 seconds was calculated. Here too, the calculation shows that the requirements of DIN 18041 have been met.

These examples illustrate why acoustic design cannot be approached in a one-size-fits-all manner. The intended use, room size and choice of materials must all be considered together.

From a computational model to the right solution

The calculation scenarios examined took into account more than just the geometric properties of the rooms. Different materials and absorption surfaces were also incorporated into the model.

These include, for example, concrete surfaces, floor coverings, windows, wooden panelling, curtains and furnishings. Among other things, Sonic Panel – installed as a 50 mm suspended sail with a suspension height of 140 mm – was included in the calculations as an acoustically effective solution.

This makes it possible to assess, right from the planning stage, how a proposed solution will affect a room’s reverberation time. It thus provides architects and specialist planners with a sound basis for coordinating design, use and acoustic requirements.

Example of a calculation:

Consultancy, product management and production work together

In addition to the technical requirements, design and user-related aspects must also be taken into account. That is why our product management and production teams were involved in the planning at an early stage.

Our product management team helps to tailor the systems to specific requirements and incorporates insights gained from actual projects into the further development of our solutions.

Our production team also contributes its practical experience. This enables us to take into account, right from the planning stage, how proposed solutions can be implemented reliably and cost-effectively.

This integration of consultancy, product management and production enables swift coordination and solutions that not only work in theory but can also be taken into account in practical implementation.

How our customers benefit from this

Our planning and client advisory service combines personalised support with technical expertise and the experience of our in-house specialist departments.

For our customers, this means:

• clarify technical issues at an early stage
• Take building physics requirements into account at the planning stage
• Tailoring solutions to space and use
• to make targeted use of in-house expertise
• minimise the need for subsequent adjustments as far as possible
• Increasing planning certainty

Particularly in the case of more complex projects, added value is not created by a single service, but through the collaboration of all those involved.

Personal dialogue brings clarity

Plans, design details or building physics requirements can often be clarified efficiently through direct discussion. On site, project documents can be reviewed together, outstanding issues discussed and possible solutions assessed immediately.

For us, therefore, personalised advice is more than just presenting a product. We want to understand what a project requires and where our expertise can make a tangible contribution.

Conclusion

The project with ARNDT GEIGER HERRMANN AG demonstrates how an initial personal exchange can lead to a concrete collaborative project.

Through our consultancy services for designers and clients, we bring technical expertise into the planning process at an early stage. Building physics calculations provide a basis for assessing requirements in a transparent manner and tailoring solutions to the specific use of the building.

Depending on the task at hand, the consultancy, product management, production and other specialist departments work together. For our customers, this results in streamlined coordination processes, greater planning certainty and technical support throughout the various project phases.

If you require technical advice on your project, our Jamal Harrab, planner and client adviser I’d be happy to help.