Acoustic Louvres Meet the Challenge of Ventilation and Quiet for Te Atatū Peninsula Library

The Te Atatū Peninsula Community Centre and Library is a focal point for locals in the waterfront suburb of West Auckland. Built to replace an unremarkable centre on the same site, which was devoid of character and remarkability, Moller Architects have designed a serious building of significant impact. It’s unapologetic and anchors the surrounding area with its bold presence.

The designed spaces include a large community hall, meeting rooms and commercial kitchen facilities. Then there’s the library itself, an expansive space for eager readers to browse, choose and check out whatever books prick their interest. Finally, there is a workroom, staff facilities and toilets. It’s a true local hub, busy and full, which needed fresh air carried inside while noise could not escape outside.

Auckland Council has a preference for a passive approach to heating and cooling, conscious of the need for their buildings to incorporate sustainable design features, so they may lead by example. Central to this is the use of natural ventilation. However, while the library itself may unconsciously lend itself to being a quieter space, the rest of the building’s purpose is about mingling, meeting and making noise. Fuelling this busy interior with fresh air is relatively easy. Containing the audible hum from spilling out into the local vicinity and annoying others nearby is more complicated.

The Ventuer solution was to use acoustic louvres which run down the side of the building. Designed to prevent noise pollution even in high density locations, they work to absorb sound and prevent it from escaping. The louvres blades are filled with a high density mineral wool. The open fibre matrix of the wool readily accepts soundwaves before routing them through its maze, dissipating the decibels for a marked difference in noise spread.

With the specially designed blades effectively sucking noise from the air and preventing its escape, air is free to flow inwards for an influx of oxygen that can reinvigorate minds and bodies using the activity hall and meeting rooms. Importantly, this meets not only the needs of occupants and others nearby, but also the sustainability needs of Auckland Council.

The AL Series of acoustic louvres from Ventuer makes the advantages described above, possible for any location. Variations in the model design offer varying degrees of protection from wind-driven rain and for space considerations, with a slimline version available for restricted areas and a more subtle aesthetic.

Such a large space still requires mechanical ventilation. The HVAC system doing this is ducted to circular Ventuer VL-104D ventilation louvres at the front of the building. Drainable louvres, they provide a medium level of weather protection and a low pressure drop. Rated as Class C under BS/EN: 13030 for air volumes up to 1.0m³/second, they are proven and extensively used for locations where only a low level of water ingress is acceptable. At Te Atatū, their subtle presence in the top third of the building might be functional but we think the circular fitting also nods to the immediate area by the water. It might just be us, but there is something nautical about it. And like boats, they do a good job of keeping water out.

It’s lively inside the Te Atatū Peninsula Community Centre and Library. There’s a lot going on, with a steady stream of locals entering and exiting the building. In between, they play, eat, talk, compete and stock up on reading material. It’s a place that hums with activity but doesn’t make a sound. A place that feeds off fresh air without too much mechanical assistance. It’s a place that has been well designed and is well ventilated, and has been given the stamp of approval by locals whose numbers have swelled since its opening.

Project: Te Atatu Peninsula Library & Community Centre
End User: Auckland Council
Architect: Moller Architects
Main Contractor: Hawkins Construction
Installation Partner: Insol
Products Supplied: VL-104D Drainable Louvres & HD-300 Acoustic Louvres

AL-600W Acoustic Louvre

Ventüer

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A high performing acoustic attenuator, the Ventüer AL-600 louvre system is 600mm deep and is designed for situations where maximum noise reduction is required.

Designed for use as an acoustic louvre in situations such as plant enclosures and industrial environments where maximum acoustic attenuation is required
Fitted with an extruded aluminium front blade profile providing a higher level of weather resistance than traditional flat blade acoustic louvre profiles
600mm deep, providing maximum acoustic attenuation
Constructed from aluminium and suitable for salt-spray zones and other corrosive environments when powdercoated appropriately
Compatible with all common structure and cladding types, including precast concrete, metal cladding, fibre cement sheet and unitised curtainwall systems
Ancillaries such as bird mesh, insect mesh, dust filters, mechanical dampers and plenums can be supplied fitted to the rear face

When sized correctly, the AL- 600W louvre system complies with the requirements for natural ventilation of buildings under the New Zealand Building Code clause G4
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature, shop drawings and site-specific engineering the AL -600W louvre system complies with the requirements for structure under the New Zealand Building Code clause B1
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature and shop drawings the AL-600W louvre system complies with the requirements around external moisture as outline in New Zealand Building Code clause E2

AL-450W Acoustic Louvre

Ventüer

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The Ventüer AL-450 louvre system is a 450mm deep, high performing acoustic louvre ideal for installations where high levels of noise reduction are required.

Designed for use as an acoustic louvre in situations such as plant enclosures and industrial environments where a high level of attenuation is required
Fitted with an extruded aluminium front blade profile providing a higher level of weather resistance than traditional flat blade acoustic louvre profiles
450mm deep, providing high level of noise reduction
Constructed from aluminium and suitable for salt-spray zones and other corrosive environments when powdercoated appropriately
Compatible with all common structure and cladding types, including precast concrete, metal cladding, fibre cement sheet and unitised curtainwall systems
Ancillaries such as bird mesh, insect mesh, dust filters, mechanical dampers and plenums can be supplied fitted to the rear face

When sized correctly, the AL-450W louvre system complies with the requirements for natural ventilation of buildings under the New Zealand Building Code clause G4
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature, shop drawings and site-specific engineering the AL-450W louvre system complies with the requirements for structure under the New Zealand Building Code clause B1
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature and shop drawings the AL-450W louvre system complies with the requirements around external moisture as outline in New Zealand Building Code clause E2

AL-300W Acoustic Louvre

Ventüer

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At 300mm deep, the Ventüer AL-300 louvre system is a mid-range acoustic attenuator suitable for use in situations where medium levels of noise reduction are required.

300mm deep, providing medium level of noise reduction
Compatible with all common structure and cladding types, including precast concrete, metal cladding, fibre cement sheet and unitised curtainwall systems
Aluminium construction, available in any standard powdercoat colour or anodising
Can be fitted with ancillaries such as bird mesh, insect mesh, dust filters, mechanical dampers and plenums

When sized correctly, the AL-300W louvre system complies with the requirements for natural ventilation of buildings under the New Zealand Building Code clause G4
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature, shop drawings and site-specific engineering the AL -300W louvre system complies with the requirements for structure under the New Zealand Building Code clause B1
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature and shop drawings the AL -300W louvre system complies with the requirements around external moisture as outline in New Zealand Building Code clause E2

AL-100W Acoustic Louvre

Ventüer

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The Ventüer AL-100W louvre system is a slimline acoustic attenuator ideal for situations where space is restricted and high levels of sound absorption are not required.

Designed for use as an acoustic louvre in situations where space is limited, and where high attenuation rates are not required
Fitted with an extruded aluminium front blade profile providing a higher level of weather resistance than traditional flat blade acoustic louvre profiles
Shallow profile (100mm deep), suitable for use in restricted spaces or for fitting to hinged doors
Constructed from aluminium and suitable for salt-spray zones and other corrosive environments when powdercoated appropriately
Compatible with all common structure and cladding types, including precast concrete, metal cladding, fibre cement sheet and unitised curtainwall systems
Ancillaries such as bird mesh, insect mesh, dust filters, mechanical dampers and plenums can be supplied fitted to the rear face

When sized correctly, the AL-100W louvre system complies with the requirements for natural ventilation of buildings under the New Zealand Building Code clause G4
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature, shop drawings and site-specific engineering the AL-100W louvre system complies with the requirements for structure under the New Zealand Building Code clause B1
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature and shop drawings the AL-100W louvre system complies with the requirements around external moisture as outline in New Zealand Building Code clause E2

Ventüer VL-104D Drainable Single Bank Louvre

Ventüer

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The Ventüer VL-104D aluminium louvre system is a single bank drainable ventilation louvre ideal for situations where rain defence is important whilst maintaining a low pressure drop.

Self-draining blade profile suitable for tall louvre panels
Designed for use as an air intake or exhaust louvre in situations where exposure to moderate levels of wind and rain are expected, and where some water carry over is acceptable
Ideal for natural ventilation of carpark buildings, plant rooms and basements where some water ingress will not damage interior linings or equipment
Constructed from extruded aluminium and suitable for salt-spray zones and other corrosive environments when powdercoated appropriately
Compatible with all common structure and cladding types, including precast concrete, metal cladding, fibre cement sheet and unitised curtainwall systems
Ancillaries such as bird mesh, insect mesh, dust filters, mechanical dampers and plenums can be supplied fitted to the rear face

When sized correctly, the VL-104D louvre system complies with the requirements for natural ventilation of buildings under the New Zealand Building Code clause G4
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature, shop drawings and site-specific engineering the VL-104D louvre system complies with the requirements for structure under the New Zealand Building Code clause B1
When installed in accordance with Ventüer technical literature and shop drawings the VL-104D louvre system complies with the requirements around external moisture as outline in New Zealand Building Code clause E2

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