Project spotlight.
Cambridge House.
MAYFAIR, LONDON
Services provided: Acoustics, BIM, Fire, MEP, Security, Vibration, Vertical Transportation
Key stakeholders: Auberge resorts, Motcomb Estates (Reuben Brothers)
Architect: Studio PDP
In the heart of Mayfair, Cambridge House is a peaceful oasis thanks to cutting-edge vibration engineering. Our vibro-acoustics engineers worked in harmony with heritage conservation to support the creation a world-class luxury hotel and residence. Built between 1756 and 1761 and Grade I listed, we faced a unique challenge: how to preserve its architectural integrity and original features while mitigating the disruptive ground borne noise and vibrations from the nearby Piccadilly, Jubilee, and Victoria underground rail lines.
Cambridge House is an historic Palladian mansion with a portico and ballroom. Previously the Naval and Military Club, whose members included Lawrence of Arabia and Ian Fleming, it is now being developed into an inspiring hotel. We used innovative technical solutions to create a quiet, calm environment while sensitively protecting the original building. The engineering team was tasked with a seemingly impossible brief to isolate the 270-year-old structure from the incessant vibrations of the London underground tube network, while respecting the constraints imposed by heritage listing and the client’s requirements to create a luxury hotel.
The client had clear aspirations for the acoustic quality of hotel. Our initial site visit observations showed how problematic the underground train noise would be, as this was clearly audible throughout the existing buildings. The challenge then, was to somehow isolate the buildings within conservational constraints.
Preparation.
We started with extensive vibration mapping. This was not just a diagnostic exercise but a predictive one, using detailed ‘heat maps’ to identify critical noise and vibration hotspots throughout the building. Gathering this data enabled the design team to understand how vibrations travelled through the historic fabric, pinpointing precise points to address.
The flooring was different throughout the building, with many areas made of timber. We created a mock-up alongside the architect to establish how the existing floors performed acoustically and what else could be included within the spatial constraints.
The tablecloth trick.
The solution we proposed was a pioneering full building isolation retrofit – a world first on this scale for a heritage building. We call it ‘the tablecloth trick’. First, we sliced into the building’s substructure to insert elastomeric bearings: a material designed to absorb vibrations through the ground. This process involved meticulously cutting through centuries-old load bearing elements without compromising the building’s structural integrity.
The new bearings separated the building from its foundations, decoupling it from the vibrations and noise of the Underground trains. Conventional box-in-box acoustic rooms, (commonly used in recording studios, cinemas and theatres), were not an option due to heritage sensitivities. Instead, our design maintained the building’s aesthetic and historical values while delivering outstanding vibration control.
Cambridge House fronts onto Piccadilly, a busy route for London traffic. We designed tailored upgrades to windows that worked with the heritage façade. The site also relies heavily on its building services plant, so this required specific spatial challenges and acoustic solutions to meet the internal and external noise criteria.
Cambridge House lifted and sat on elastometric bearings
Lessons learned.
We found immense value in the detailed upfront analysis, which gave us confidence to deliver this innovative solution. We enjoyed the challenge of working with an iconic heritage building in a busy urban environment. Our vibro-acoustic consultants collaborated with architects, structural engineers, contractors, and bearing specialists. The result is a luxurious environment where hotel guests and residents will be able to enjoy tranquillity and comfort, free from the disruptive low-frequency rumbles typical of central London’s underground rail network.
Well done to everyone who worked on this project. If you have any questions about the acoustic design, contact Brian Dennis, Nikhilesh Patil, or Barry Jobling. For questions about the other services provided, contact Marc Thomas.