WSDG delivers cutting-edge sound at new Liestal venue

He EBL Elefantehuus It has become a multipurpose space, dotado de una innovadora infraestructura de sonido gracias a WSDG and its partners.

He EBL Elefantehuus (Elephant House) It is an enclosure with capacity for 300 people hosting events ranging from jazz performances to comedy evenings. It was originally designed to house two huge gray elephant-shaped generators in the early 20th century, from whom the building inherited its name.

In the middle of the decade of 1930, the diesel generators were usurped and the building became an underused storage space. This remained ignored and unappreciated until the owners, Elektra Baselland Cooperative (EBL), the main local electricity supplier), decided that storage space should be included in the scheduled improvements that would be carried out. years later, Eric Rütsche of Kulturhotel Guggenheim and architect Pascal Epple of Otto Partner Architekten commissioned WSDG to provide acoustic treatment for all internal spaces..

The main objective was to ensure that there was no acoustic disturbance in the hospital, which was less than 20 meters away. Through proper engineering and the application of advanced techniques, they managed to create a multi-purpose venue that would serve as a valuable asset not only for EBL but also for the Liestal community in general.

“Before, the space was not used optimally”, said Andrist. “Now, The place will be available to the public and can be rented. Provides a welcoming environment for events hosted by creative artists, clubs and companies”.

After years of abandonment, the space needed a complete redesign, but strict values ​​were established for renewals. The main concerns were, first of all, acoustic nuisance and, in second place, a clear benefit to the local community. Besides, The exterior of the building is subject to historic protections and could not be altered.

The WSDG team designed the sound treatment, ensuring that the new extension was completed to the highest acoustic standards and met its obligation to be extremely controlled. The main venue space incorporates intelligent design features that seek to effectively eliminate the transfer of low frequency noise throughout the building.

Dirk Noy, partner and director of Applied Sciences and Engineering at WSDG, and his team studied the existing acoustics in the main auditorium to discover possible problems. At first, the central room was very reflective and had very sharp corners. By adding treatments to the walls and ceiling of these surfaces, WSDG was able to reduce sound reflections, improving the intelligibility of space. Was used a Helmholtz resonator on the ceiling to offer maximum absorption of low frequency sound.

“We installed the walls with white single-layer magnesite acoustic panels joined with wool and wood. These provide greater absorption of mid frequencies at the sharp edges of the ceiling. The entire space is finished in white, allowing the customer to light it with any color, and geometric features adapt to any lighting design chosen”, Noy explains..

To ensure that the walls were suitable for multi-purpose use, WSDG worked closely with Lighting Planner Huebscher Designed, Kilchenmann AG y EBL. The team designed a solution based on a theatrical lighting system.

Balcony seating area adapted to offer optimal line of sight, and acoustic control and minimal sound reflections.

The edge of the balcony is finished at an angle to ensure that the furniture does not reflect sound towards the stage, but towards the ceiling, which has been designed to provide maximum low frequency absorption and minimize reflections towards the audience area.

Perforated drywall was applied providing a absorption of low and mid frequencies at the bottom of the balcony, which further reduces reflections. The result is highly intelligible sound transmission, uniform SPL coverage and freedom from artifacts.

The EBL Elefantehuus project was designed by the architects Otto Partner Architects. Pascal Epple, member of the extended management team, He was the architect of the place. The design provided a free-flowing aesthetic by keeping all facilities in a central block within the existing building and allowing the rest of the space to remain flexible and open.. These design elements have ensured that the venue is perfect to host any event, like round tables, gala dinners or concerts.

“It was a challenge to combine all the requirements in the existing building. Due to proximity to the hospital, WSDG developed a room-within-a-room system and this was completely detached from the existing structure”, explains Epple. “The building structure is worthy of protection, but this gave us a limited range of possibilities for the project. We developed a simple extension that covers the new entry, with vestibule, staircase and elevator. All other functions are located in the existing building: the catering area, with a small kitchen and bar, It is organized behind the room”.

WSDG also collaborated on the integration of AV systems, together with the project installers, Kilchenmann AG. He specified a microphone system built on the series Shure ULX-D, a mixing console DiGiCo and two systems sound reinforcement separated from L-Acoustics para su uso en espectáculos y de Fohhn for speeches and presentations.

This combination is suitable for a multi-purpose place, since it offers a safe sound system, scalable and durable, perfect for both musical and spoken word applications.

The general director of the EBL, Tobias Andrist, He was impressed by the final result and was enthusiastic about the future of the venue.. “EBL Elefantehuus will become a comprehensive event venue, in which everything from business events to concerts can be conceived. An innovative room-within-a-room construction offers the best acoustics and, at the same time, soundproofing for the nearby hospital. Thus, the historical atmosphere is still perceived today”.