Located at an altitude of 2,600 metres, in the heart of a listed natural site in the municipality of Sers, the Hôtellerie des Laquets is undergoing restructuring and extension work with a view to creating a 14-room luxury hotel. The project, led by the Syndicat mixte pour la valorisation touristique du Pic du Midi (Pic du Midi Joint Association for Tourism Development), is part of the Bâtiment Durable Occitanie (BDO) sustainable building initiative, with strong environmental ambitions and demanding landscape integration requirements.
In this context, the acoustics had to meet a dual requirement: to offer an experience of silence and privacy in keeping with the establishment’s standing, while respecting the ecological sensitivity of an exceptional mountain site.
The coexistence of restaurants, wellness facilities, accommodation and high-performance technical equipment required a careful approach to avoid any noise pollution, both inside and outside. The presence of an existing heavy masonry building, combined with a contemporary extension, further complicated the overall acoustic performance.
The challenge was not limited to complying with hotel regulations: it was also necessary to design acoustics that were consistent with the architecture of a natural site, capable of preserving the calm of the rooms, the quality of the common areas and the tranquillity of the surrounding landscape.
We conducted a full acoustic study with a focus on the customer experience.
Our work helped define:
- Enhanced sound insulation between rooms, ensuring true privacy
- Specific protection against footsteps and impacts, which are particularly noticeable in existing buildings
- Strict noise targets for technical equipment, more demanding than the minimum thresholds
- Absorbent treatments in the restaurant and circulation areas, avoiding any feeling of hubbub
- External noise limits adapted to the ecological sensitivity of the site
In concrete terms, we worked on the composition of floors, partitions and ceilings, as well as on the vibration isolation of technical installations, so that each space corresponds to its use: rest, relaxation, conviviality.
Our role was not limited to setting regulatory objectives, but also to structuring a sound experience consistent with the standing of the venue.
Acoustic intervention provides a controlled silence experience in the high mountains, consistent with the architectural and environmental ambitions of the project.
The rooms benefit from effective insulation, guaranteeing rest and privacy, even when activities are taking place in the communal areas. Impact noise is reduced by appropriate construction solutions, and technical equipment operates without causing any noticeable disturbance to occupants.
In a listed natural site, controlling external noise impact was essential. The installations were designed and treated to strictly limit their acoustic impact, complying with regulatory requirements and adopting additional objectives adapted to the ecological sensitivity of the site.
As part of the BDO approach, acoustics contribute fully to the overall coherence of the project: they contribute to environmental quality, user comfort and the excellence perceived by future customers.
