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🔇 Acoustic Partition

Buffer Spine

Center N-S acoustic partition providing STC-55 isolation between east and west room groups. Houses HVAC duct routing.

STC RATING
STC-55
THICKNESS
15 cm
LENGTH
313.4 cm
ZONE
Center N-S

Buffer Spine Location

The buffer spine runs north-south through the center of the zone, separating west and east room groups. All positions from SSOT → DXF.

BUFFER STC55 COL-W COL-E D190×220 STC50D290×220 STC45D380×220 STC45D490×220 STC40 W1 80×50 VO Live B304 5.31 m² · NC-20 Control Room B311 5.47 m² · NC-25 Video/Podcast Studio B312-1 11.23 m² · NC-25 Editing Suite B312-2 8.56 m² · NC-35 207152039019723860 cm (north wall inner)229175448 cm (diagonal) N

Purpose & Role

Acoustic Isolation

The buffer spine is the primary acoustic barrier separating the west room group (VO Live + Control Room) from the east room group (Video/Podcast Studio + Editing Suite). At STC-55, it prevents sound transmission between simultaneously active spaces — critical when recording in VO Live while editing in the Editing Suite.

HVAC Duct Routing

The buffer's internal cavity serves as the primary HVAC duct chase, routing supply and return air between rooms without creating acoustic bridges. All duct penetrations through the buffer walls require acoustic boots and sealant (see HVAC Penetrations guide).

Dimensions & Position

Geometry

West Face X213.6 cm from zone origin
East Face X228.6 cm from zone origin
Thickness15 cm
Y Start109.9 cm (south end)
Y End423.3 cm (north end)
Length313.4 cm

Adjacent Spaces

West Side
VO Live (B304)NC-20
Control Room (B311)NC-25
East Side
Video/Podcast Studio (B312-1)NC-25
Editing Suite (B312-2)NC-35

Wall Construction

Buffer spine — STC 55

Field STC estimate: [object Object]

LayerThicknessMaterial
2x12.5mm gypsum + Green Glue25 mm2x12.5mm gypsum + Green Glue
100mm studs + rockwool100 mm100mm studs + rockwool
2x12.5mm gypsum + Green Glue25 mm2x12.5mm gypsum + Green Glue

Total depth: undefined mm · 3 layers

Doors Through Buffer

All doors penetrating the buffer spine require acoustic seals and automatic closers to maintain STC-55 isolation.

D3 — undefined

Size80 × 220 cm
STCSTC-45
PositionX=123.6 cm
SwingN into VO Live

D4 — undefined

Size90 × 220 cm
STCSTC-40
PositionX=238.6 cm
SwingN into Video Studio

Isolation Performance

⚠️ Critical Acoustic Barrier

The buffer spine must maintain its rated STC-55 in field conditions. Any penetration (HVAC ducts, electrical conduit, cable trays) through the buffer wall requires:

Acoustic caulkAll perimeter joints and penetrations — continuous bead, no gaps
MLV bootsMass-loaded vinyl wraps on all duct penetrations
Fire collarsIntumescent fire collars on all penetrations per code
Back-to-back prohibitionNo outlets, switches, or junction boxes on opposite sides at same location
Duct silencersIn-line silencers on all supply/return ducts passing through buffer

SSOT v3.1 · March 2026 · Source: DXF → ezdxf → verified