May 2, 2014

Renovation/Restoration (British Columbia) --
Bell Media Radio and Sales

Photo by Pinarchi.com

Studios at Bell Media Radio and Sales were soundproofed with Roxul insulation and multiple layers of drywall, plywood and backer board.

Location: Vancouver

Contractor: Raicor Contracting

Architect: Thibodeau Architecture + Design

Team: Pacific West Systems Supply; B.C. Ceiling Systems; Bailey Metal Products; Georgia-Pacific Canada

Raicor Contracting was awarded the contract to build radio studios for Bell Media Radio and Sales at the corner of Burrard and Robson in Vancouver. The project was an extensive full-floor renovation contracted to PCL Constructors Westcoast.

This project was unique because of soundproofing requirements for the radio studios. Multiple layers of drywall, plywood and backer board were used on steel studs with Roxul insulation to achieve the required soundproofing level.

In addition, it was necessary to prevent noise from vibrating throughout the structure. Thick rubber-gasket strips were laid on the floor and partitions built over the strips. After the partitions were braced to the roof, rubber gaskets were installed to isolate the steel framing from the structure.

Each studio room was built like a box with no connection to the roof using heavy-gauge, steel-stud joists to support the walls and T-bar.

Since the long, steel-stud joists didn’t fit in the elevator, it was a challenge getting materials to the sixth floor. Eventually, they were hoisted by crane to the roof (70 feet high) from a narrow back alley. Since this was expensive, the foreman had to estimate his material needs accurately.

Judge’s comment: “The magic lies in the unique construction of this project. Requiring superior soundproofing, studio walls were built in a specific manner to prevent vibration and noise transfer. An excellent job by the design and construction teams for their achievement of this goal.”

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