Why architects must prioritise CALMFLOOR active vibration control from day one

Today’s architectural ambitions all want to lean into longer-span, more open-plan layouts that focus on lighter materials – all the time with eyes firmly on sustainability and that unrelenting quest to reduce embodied carbon. But architectural design comes with constraints in the form of a hidden barrier: floor vibration performance. Problematic floor vibration can disrupt building performance and productivity, hinder comfort and even compromise a construction project’s viability if not addressed appropriately in its early stages.

CALMFLOOR’s active mass damping (AMD) technology delivers a new generation of architectural freedom for building designers who want to build lighter and keep their Net Zero journeys intact.

Floor vibration control isn’t simply an engineering add-on, it’s a design enabler for architects who really want to push the boundaries of design. Factoring in vibration performance objectives from the outset expands what’s structurally and creatively possible. Fortunately CALMFLOOR’s pioneering active vibration control takes the business of transforming floor performance seriously and makes light, fast and more cost-effective work of it.

Design without compromise

The push for open-plan, column-free spaces has changed the way floors are expected to perform for the entire sector. Longer spans and lighter structures bring a multitude of benefits for everyone; fewer materials, more natural light, flexible use. But those same benefits also increase the risk that footfall-induced vibration will be an inevitable issue. By building in floor vibration mitigation and control from the start, architects are free to approach their designs with fewer restrictions, greater flexibility and the confidence to explore ambitious floor layouts without limitation.

Net-zero demands better basics

Operational carbon dominates the development conversation, but what about the embodied emissions that are baked into our buildings before they’re even commissioned? Structural systems are a major contributor to embodied carbon and unnecessary mass adds to environmental impact and cost – in a big way.

Designing in technologically superior floor vibration control allows architects to strip back structural excess – cutting carbon, reducing transport and additional material needs, and supporting net-zero targets without the need for trade-offs. CALMFLOOR active vibration control is the world’s only active mass damping solution for floor vibration and with multi-frequency control, it mitigates against and controls with precision from the off.

Sustainability starts in the structure

Minimising the use of and reliance on carbon-heavy materials is one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce a building’s embodied carbon. But doing more with less often means finding clever ways to optimise performance with lightweight floor designs. That’s where CALMFLOOR intelligent vibration control changes the game. By mitigating against the risk of problematic floor vibration from the start with a solution that doesn’t rely on excess steel and concrete, pillars and columns and cumbersome tuned mass dampers, architects can pursue leaner structural designs that support sustainability goals without compromising comfort or performance.

Avoiding post-occupancy surprises

Why wait to fix what you could design out? One of the most common issues to arise after handover is unwanted floor vibration problems. Whether it’s a busy walkway, a flexible office floor or a residential tower with a lively vibration issue, footfall-induced vibrations can disrupt the atmosphere, leaving costly retrofits and structural modifications as the only fix. The impact of structural change can be catastrophic for an occupier’s operations, with delays, disruption and unpredictable cost always an inevitability.

CALMFLOOR active vibration control not only enables architects to factor in floor vibration performance to building design from the outset of a project, a suite of simulation services provides the evidence and data that’s so critical at concept stage. Using building data to model and predict vibration performance in a range of scenarios, CALMFLOOR can be qualified and specified with total confidence.

When floor vibration has not been mitigated against appropriately, CALMFLOOR is an ideal solution for resolving post-occupancy floor vibration problems. Reducing floor vibration by up to 90% – instantly and without any structural intervention, means that building owners, agents and structural engineers can combat the issue fast even after the building is in use. Throughout the process, the building stays operational and disruption is eliminated.

Evaluating vibration control during early-stage models avoids those surprises. With simulation tools and design collaboration, CALMFLOOR models and manages floor behaviour at concept stage.

Empowering architects to design freely and achieve Net Zero ambitions

Floor vibration control shouldn’t be a barrier, it should be part of the toolkit that empowers word-class design. CALMFLOOR works collaboratively with architects, empowering them to integrate vibration performance seamlessly into the process. The pay-off: embodied carbon will be cut by up to 50% and your Net Zero ambitions are suddenly the reality.

Ready to design without limits? Get CALMFLOOR in the room early. The sooner the subject of floor vibration performance is on the table, the more it can work for your design, not against it.