Noise from the city can be a nuisance to people and their sleep. Buildings and dwellings can cause noise and vibrations, which can be a problem for people living in and around these buildings or building sites. The project Silent Spaces researched in minimizing noise and vibrations in urban areas.

Trends towards light-weight constructions
Efforts need to be made in order enhance the performance of buildings in regard to noise and vibration. The current trend towards light-weight constructions are of both economical and environmental benefit by saving of material and transportation costs. The trend requires development of new design tools against generation of noise because there is a very complicated, design-dependent trade-off between reduction of structural weight and reduction of the level of sound and vibration.

New methods and tecniques
The project developed and implemented different methods and tecniques in order to minimize noise and vibrations in urban areas, buildings and contructions. Based on findings among contructions companies the project looked into a number of methods to solve concrete problems for the companies. A virtual test lab was created for simulation of light-weight constructions, e.g. wood. Methods for simulating lightweight buildings before they are put up were thus developed, by calibrating measurements and simulations.

The project also published a number of articles with examples of actions and solutions. The project participated and arranged a number of seminars and conferences to spread knowledge of the project and subject of noise reduction in buildings and constructions.