Reducing Noise in a Mixed-Use Cultural Hall

Project Overview

DECIBEL was selected to design and implement a complete sound insulation and acoustic treatment for City Mark Art Center in Sofia, Bulgaria. The site was formerly known as "Levski Cinema". This is an iconic cinema built in the late 1960s on the ground floor of a residential building on Yanko Sakuzov Blvd.

After decades of varied use and noise complaints from residents, the new owner planned to transform the space into a multifunctional cultural hall. The goal was to eliminate noise disturbances for the people living above the hall and create a professional acoustic environment for performances and events.

Why Acoustic Treatment Matters

In mixed-use buildings, especially those combining residential and commercial functions, sound insulation is of most importance. Without proper noise control, vibrations and airborne sound can easily travel through walls, ceilings, and ventilation systems, disrupting daily life.

For City Mark Art Center, poor acoustic design had led to years of complaints. Echo, noise from events, and mechanical sounds from HVAC systems caused stress for residents and strained community relations. Solving these issues was important for comfort and for the future of the venue.

Challenge

The main difficulty of this project was the location of the hall. It is placed directly under residential apartments, which had already been exposed to loud noise during past events. Sound from music, speeches, and the air-conditioning system easily reached the upper floors. Residents often complained, and these problems were never solved.

The new owner wanted to use the space for theater, concerts, exhibitions, and seminars. Each of these activities has different acoustic needs. At the same time, the solution had to meet national noise control standards and ensure that the people living in the building would no longer hear disturbing sounds. The goal was not only to improve the hall's performance, but also to protect the quiet environment of the residents above.

Scope of Work

• Acoustic measurements and diagnostics across the structure
• Full sound insulation design for walls, ceilings, and floors
• Specialized noise reduction systems for ventilation and HVAC
• Acoustic treatment inside the hall to improve sound quality
• Project led by Eng. I. Hristev, an acoustics specialist trained in Denmark

Solution

DECIBEL conducted detailed on-site measurements and developed a complete soundproofing plan. This included structural solutions and treatments for noise sources like ventilation systems.

In addition, the hall interior was acoustically optimized to support various cultural formats, including theater, concerts, and seminars. The acoustic treatment improved sound clarity inside the space while limiting transmission to surrounding apartments.

Result

Post-installation tests showed excellent results. At a live sound level of 90 dBA inside the hall, noise levels in the rooms above measured only 28-29 dBA. This meets the standards set by Bulgarian Ordinance No. 4 from 2006 for residential noise control.

The most important result came from the residents: after the upgrades, noise complaints stopped, and relations between the owner and the neighbors significantly improved. The space now functions as a quiet, well-integrated cultural venue within a residential building.

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