When Chiesi decided to renovate their Shanghai office in alignment with their global sustainability strategy, acoustics were not originally part of the brief. Yet, acoustic comfort quickly became essential to secure the LEED Gold certification, which awards two credits specifically for acoustics. By the time our team was called in, the design was finalized and construction already underway, with partition walls partially built, severely limiting possibilities for modification. Adding to the complexity, the initial design did not meet the sound insulation or speech privacy standards required by LEED. To make matters more challenging, the actual placement of the ductwork on-site did not match the MEP plans, making it impossible to install full-height partitions where they were needed. And all of this had to be solved within a tight budget and compressed timeline, while preserving the integrity of the existing architectural concept.
Our mission was clear: adapt the existing architectural design to meet both LEED acoustic performance standards and the client’s wellness and sustainability goals, all without disrupting construction or exceeding budget. We carefully reviewed the design drawings to see which parts could stay the same and which ones needed to be improved. Although some STC-rated partitions appeared adequate on paper, in practice they allowed too much noise to pass between rooms and did not provide enough clarity for conversations. We worked hand in hand with Virtuarch and TERAO to implement tailor-made acoustic solutions, such as optimized partition compositions, reverberation control strategies, and discreet adjustments to ceiling and wall materials. For sensitive areas constrained by misplaced ductwork, we developed on-site adjustments to maintain sound privacy without having to change the whole layout.
Thanks to a collaborative approach and the ability to respond quickly and adapt our solutions easily to the situation, we successfully helped Chiesi secure their LEED Gold certification while also improving the acoustic environment of their office. Our interventions ensured that speech privacy was maintained across meeting rooms and offices, and that reverberation and background noise were kept at optimal levels, enhancing user well-being and productivity. The final result is a space that aligns fully with Chiesi’s “Better Building” vision: a modern, collaborative workspace that respects both people and the planet. This project highlights the essential role of early acoustic design integration, and how a flexible, expert approach can make all the difference, even under difficult conditions.
