A venue capable of hosting three separate events simultaneously without sound spilling between them has taken its acoustic design seriously – both room acoustics and acoustic isolation. On such venue is Madero Walk Eventos, a multi-purpose event space berthed on Buenos Aires’ trendy waterfront

For real estate developer Vizora and architectural firm Bodas Miani Anger & Associates, the solution was the Walters-Storyk Design Group.

Two years in the making, Madero Walk Eventos is Latin America’s first floating ballroom and architectural icon – a 96,875-sq-ft venue for private parties and weddings, as well as corporate and social events.. Representing a US$4m-plus investment, it offers 16,460-sq-ft of ‘party space’, including two outdoor terraces with views of the harbour and city skylines.

Providing sound isolation for events accommodating up to 600 guests required expert acoustic design. WSDG designer/acousticians used electroacoustical simulations, sophisticated auralisation techniques and predictive programs (such as CattAcoustic ABEC 2 & 3 Insul, Winflag and Bastian) to develop a series of efficient, cost-effective and aesthetically striking recommendations. With panoramic 40ft-high walls capped by a floating ceiling, the penthouse ballroom posed the most dramatic acoustic challenges. WSDG Partner/Project Manager Sergio Molho explains that the room’s expansive walls were constructed of two layers of glass. A 4mm. layer was flush mounted against a 6mm. layer, separated by a 12mm. airlock and sealed by a second layer of 12mm-thick glass. The resulting walls are capable of containing rock concert-level audio up to 130dB. In addition, the thermal properties of the glass contribute significantly to the efficiency of the HVAC system, for which WSDG stipulated barrier screens for compressor sound suppression.

Absorptive acoustical wall and ceiling treatments and recording studio-quality interior wall construction, have enabled Madero Walk to fully isolate each of its three contiguous event sites. ‘To further expand the venues’ flexibility, customised, moveable partition panels were installed in the main ballroom to divide it into three smaller, audibly unobtrusive party rooms,’ Molho adds.

‘Having contributed to the acoustic integrity of projects ranging from Jazz At Lincoln Center (where the Allen Room is distinguished by a 50-ft x 90-ft glass wall,) to NYC’s Le Poisson Rouge and 54 Below night clubs, we are well versed in projects of this nature. Thanks to its unique concept and captivating location, Madero Walk Eventos has quickly established itself as a compelling addition to the Buenos Aires party and special event scene,’ Molho concludes.