Acoustics Consultancy for University or Hertfordshire Film and Virtual Production Studio refurbishment project.
Drama by Design was appointed by the University of Hertfordshire to provide specialist acoustic consultancy for the concept design of a new film studio within the Todd Building at the University’s Hatfield Campus. Located on the ground floor in the north-western corner of the existing three-storey building, the project involves the creation of a professional-standard film studio alongside associated spaces including a green room, office, small plant room, and new lobby connections from existing circulation areas.
The appointment focused on developing a concept-stage acoustic strategy to inform the design of the studio and supporting spaces. Early briefing discussions were held with representatives of the University, including the Dean of the department, course leaders, and facilities management, to clarify the intended uses and performance aspirations for the space. The studio is to support feature film production, student teaching, and commercial hire to third parties, and therefore must meet professional standards for sound isolation, internal noise control, and room acoustic quality.
The studio sits above a basement staff car park and below teaching spaces currently used by the art department, which will remain design-based, likely for computer-focused creative work. The structural form of the Todd Building is a concrete frame. The ground floor slab beneath the studio comprises a 300mm deep in-situ flat concrete slab, while the first floor above is formed from a 600mm deep in-situ “waffle” slab, with the thinner sections of the slab typically 100mm thick and forming the majority of the soffit. Original structural drawings were reviewed to inform our understanding of the construction, although certain junction details — particularly at the interfaces between the floor slabs and the external walls — required careful consideration.
Externally, the building envelope consists predominantly of masonry walls, with a significant area of two-storey curtain walling forming part of the north and west façades. The site’s proximity to the A1(M), including an off-ramp running close to the site boundary, presents a notable external noise risk. Although the main carriageway sits in a cutting, the elevated slip road required assessment in relation to potential traffic noise ingress. As part of the concept study, we identified key acoustic risks associated with the façade design, slab junctions, and flanking transmission paths, proposing performance targets and indicative construction strategies to mitigate external noise intrusion and ensure robust internal sound insulation.
Internally, the studio is to incorporate a solid infinity cove located in the north-west corner, extending approximately halfway along the north and west façades. The acoustic design therefore needed to support controlled room acoustics suitable for film production, with careful management of reflections, lateral sound behaviour, and reverberation characteristics. At concept stage, we established acoustic performance criteria for airborne and impact sound insulation between the studio and adjacent spaces, along with target internal noise levels appropriate for professional recording. Outline construction build-ups were proposed to achieve these targets, taking into account the existing structure and spatial constraints.
As the building services design was not yet developed, services acoustics were addressed strategically. Guidance was provided on noise limits, vibration isolation, plant location, and ductwork design principles to ensure that future MEP proposals would align with the stringent acoustic requirements of a professional film studio.
The concept acoustic design report summarised the key acoustic issues, identified potential sound transmission paths, and established clear performance standards to guide the next stages of design development. By engaging early and working collaboratively with the University’s academic and facilities teams, Drama by Design helped set a robust acoustic framework for the project — ensuring the proposed studio will deliver the isolation, low noise levels, and controlled acoustic environment required for high-quality film production and teaching within an existing campus building.
