CMS DANSKIN ACOUSTICS SADDLE SYSTEM FULFILS BRIEF FOR EDINBURGH’S STRIKING NEW LANDMARK HOTEL

CMS Danskin Acoustics supplied its Smartspan saddle system for the W Edinburgh, an eye-catching new addition to Edinburgh’s skyline.Part of Marriott’s luxury W Hotels brand, the striking 12-storey ‘ribbon building’ required a floor specification to provide effective impact and airborne sound reduction, under floor access for cabling and precise levelling of concrete subfloors.

The W Edinburgh is the centrepiece of Nuveen Real Estates redevelopment of the St James Quarter, Edinburgh’s largest redevelopment in a generation. The hotel has 199 rooms and 45 suites, a roof top deck with 360° views, three restaurants and the W Hotels brand’s signature sound suite recording studio – a first for the UK. It was designed by Jestico + Whiles in conjunction with lead scheme architect Allan Murray Architects. BAM Construction Scotland delivered all the interiors of this extensive and complex fit out project.

CMS Danskin Acoustics worked closely with BAM sub-contractor MMM Joinery Ltd whose remit was to install the floors and other aspects of the interior finish in guest rooms, the sound suite and public areas in the main W Edinburgh ‘ribbon building’, so described as it is crafted from a winding bronze-coloured steel ‘ribbon’.

The installation of the CMS Danskin Acoustics’ saddle system created a void for services and it was used to level the floors to counter the 5-10mm tolerances of concrete subfloors. The project involved over 50,000 saddles. This dry floor solution eliminated wet trades, so enhancing efficiency on site.

Acoustics performance was key. The acoustic approach had to meet the requirements of Section 5 of The Building (Scotland) Regulations, but also the very high standards set for this prestigious new hotel.

CMS Danskin Acoustics’ saddle system uses structural flooring boards, C16 strength graded timber support bearers and saddles with an integral acoustic resilient layer to construct a floating floor on top of a base floor, in this case concrete. The system should fit between the highest point of the base floor and the desired finished floor level. Packers and, where necessary, elevating blocks are used to level areas below the high point. Flanking strips prevent sound passing into the space at the perimeter of the floor.

The installation of over 6,700m² of CMS Danskin Acoustics’ Smartspan flooring board, a high density (1500 kg/m³), Class A1 non-combustible (to EN13501-1) board, which spans between the support bearers of the saddle system with minimal deflection, added to the acoustic performance of the saddle system at W Edinburgh.

CMS Danskin Acoustics also designed and supplied a floating floor for the W Hotel’s sound suite recording studio. The system included Type T isolator pads set into a rock fibre rollout with SmartSpan on top to create the final floor.

“Located in the heart of Edinburgh, this was a logistically challenging site, so meticulous planning was required,” explains Graham Hall, Director MMM Joinery Ltd. “We worked closely with CMS Danskin Acoustics to arrive at the most effective acoustic floor response for W Edinburgh. Prior to the start of the installation programme, we fitted out a sample room and reviewed it with CMS Danskin for quality and then called on them as necessary during installation.”

Jim Ward, Regional Director, BAM Construction, said, " CMS Danskin Acoustics provided an effective floating floor solution with their PAV Floating Floor System which was straightforward to install and achieved the acoustic requirements on this demanding quality project.”

Mark Metcalfe, Commercial Director for CMS Danskin Acoustics, said, “The CMS Danskin Acoustics team at Wishaw were delighted to work with MMM Joinery Ltd to meet the acoustic floor requirements for this amazing building to deliver a successful acoustic solution that adds to the overall exceptional quality of accommodation that W Edinburgh brings to the city.”

CMS Danskin Acoustics, part of The Performance Technology Group, produces and sources insulation products advising on all matters relating to sound proofing materials and noise reduction strategies, including floors, ceilings and walls, to combat airborne and impact noise. Notable projects include Granton Harbour, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and The Shard.

Lanarkshire-based MMM Joinery Ltd undertakes all aspects of joinery supply and installation for the construction industry across the commercial, industrial, retail, education and leisure sectors.