Sound mitigation trends and products

As the younger generation moves increasingly inward and skyward when it comes to choosing their living environments, soundproofing in urban multifamily buildings is becoming more important than ever in terms of increasing market value of luxury condominiums and preventing future costs incurred from potential lawsuits and retrofitting measures.

In today’s strained residential construction market, many developers try to keep costs down by building strictly to code and implementing only the most basic sound mitigation measures, such as doubling drywall layers. But, as technology improves and costs come down, spending a little extra to control noise transmission between units and from common areas is an increasingly smart investment.

Effective lighting can set your next project apart, provide buyers with safety and peace of mind, and create a street-level mood that draws in potential buyers.

“Lightscaping is an important concept to consider in any home setting, but it’s doubly important for multifamily apartment buildings and dwellings,” says Michael Gouel, sales manager for the Lamps Plus Professional trade program. “For multifamily settings, a top consideration should be given to safety and security.” Greg Thorson, founder and CEO of EnvironmentalLights.com, couldn’t agree more.

“The main point of landscape lighting is to make the buildings look inviting and create a feeling of security,” he says. “A well-lit building is more secure, and it feels more secure. Criminals like working under cover of darkness. People feel that viscerally, and they value good outdoor lighting.”

Prices going down for higher-end security systems

Whether it’s controlling access, preventing vandalism, or giving urban residents peace of mind, security is one of the most critical elements of modern multifamily buildings. Advancements in smart technologies including remote video surveillance and integrated access systems are making previously costprohibitive technologies available to every building price-point, from luxury condos to affordable apartments.

“Every type of multifamily building demands some sort of access control system,” says Scott Johnson, vice president of construction and development for Venice, FL-based Palladium. “A high-rise luxury tower may call for a sophisticated system with cameras and automated traffic gates, but in a four-story apartment community, the system may only need to provide access-control to the parking garage and clubhouse. The good news is that the technology is getting less expensive and more powerful every year.”