Project Description

Overview

Uruguay recently welcomed its first Hilton Hotel. The elegant (and eye-catching) new Garden Inn was completed last year in Montevideo. Overlooking the world-famous Bay, the Hilton features 172 luxurious rooms, an excellent restaurant, bar, heated indoor pool, gym spectacular views from its sixteen floors and many other amenities, this distinctive “triangular-shaped” high-rise also benefits from an extraordinary location. Set in the heart of the city’s business district, it is within walking distance of World Trade Center Montevideo, many outstanding restaurants, one of the city’s most spectacular shopping centers, pristine beaches, and is a brief 20 minute drive to the Carrasco International Airport.

Program

The triangular configuration of the Hilton Garden Inn represents a creative design choice influenced by the shape of the construction site. Architects Estudio Gómez Platero devised a dynamic contemporary image for the structure. A striking glass curtain wall fitted with horizontal bands distinguishes the facade. Committed to providing guests with every conceivable luxury and convenience, Estudio Gómez Platero retained the architectural/acoustic services of WSDG to develop the highest degree of Sound isolation, for optimal quietude in each guest suite, and superior speech intelligibility in all the public areas and meeting rooms.

Design

WSDG recommends that acoustic planning be initiated at the design stage rather than after construction has been completed. The savings in reconstruction time and expense spent correcting acoustic errors can be substantial. By engaging proprietary mode calculation software, 3D acoustic modeling programs, auralization reports and other sophisticated tools design WSDG recommendations were developed to eliminate sound reflection in sensitive areas, and to prohibit sound leakage between guest rooms. These solutions ranged from applications of micro-perforated wooden diffusers, to such architectural design elements as fabric wrapped absorptive panels and customized flower-like acoustic ceiling “clouds.” WSDG’s recommended goal of establishing an NC 30 (Noise Criteria) level was established throughout the hotel. Reports from guests commenting on the peace and quiet they enjoy at the Hilton Garden Inn substantiate the success of that projection.