Master-Planned Communities

HGC has been involved in the approval and design of dozens of Master-Planned Communities that have included low and high-rise residential developments as well as commercial and mixed-use projects both large and small. We offer the full spectrum of acoustical consulting services including jurisdictional compliance, approval support and guidance to planners, developers, engineers and architects.

Total Acoustical Consulting Support

We offer total acoustical consulting support from early feasibility and planning stages for large greenfield development blocks right through design to final site inspections and certification for subdivisions, high rise condominiums, apartments and commercial plazas.

Overcoming Regulatory Obstacles and Hurdles

We maintain good working relations with many municipalities across Ontario, and we are intimately aware of the obstacles to be avoided and the hurdles that need to be overcome in the process of obtaining zoning and projects approvals quickly and cost-effectively.

We also provide the acoustical assessment and engineering design solutions that ensure mandated comfort levels of noise and vibration are achieved in and around subdivisions, condominiums, apartment, and commercial developments.

Environmental Noise and Vibration Know-how

While many master planned communities are typically greenfield suburban developments, today, in an effort to combat urban sprawl many municipalities have invoked urban intensification policies for city cores, with the result that more and more sensitive communities are being developed in rezoned brownfield areas living side-by-side with active industry and busy transportation corridors.

In both green and brownfield scenarios, we have extensive experience assessing and designing means of mitigation for adjacent transportation (road, rail, aircraft) or industrial noise and vibration sources and then ensuring that the required control measures are incorporated effectively into the proposed development.

We have also acted as expert witnesses in disputes involving the rezoning of industrial areas for residential developments.

Acoustical Consulting Services Include:

  • Noise and vibration control in land use planning
  • Noise and vibration impact studies for residential development
  • Noise impact studies for commerical development
  • Design of highway and railway noise barriers
  • Building envelope acoustical design
  • Building acoustics and noise control
  • Expert witness testimony
  • Peer review
  • Intersuite sound insulation
  • Land use compatibility assessments

Case Studies

Staff at BCX have been working collaboratively with HGC for nearly 15 years.  HGC’s superior quality work and prompt response time make them our No.1 choice for noise consulting services.”

Bridget Mills, Principal/Senior Environmental Engineer

BCX Environmental Consulting

I first used HGC expertise some 17 years ago to solve a very tricky problem with commercial exhaust fan noise on a hotel project. HGC’s solution was so effective in reducing the fan noise level that it quelled all complaints from neighbors. Since that time I have used HGC expertise on a variety of Independent School projects with the primary emphasis on sound attenuation within the buildings and help with theatre acoustics. They are consummate professionals.”

Les Andrew, Principal

Andrew Incorporated Architect

We have worked with HGC on multiple projects in which the acoustics of a space has been critical.  This includes two performance theatres, university teaching environments, and multiple churches.  In all instances, we have been very pleased with the results.”

Lawrie Carter, Principal

Architecture Incorporated

HGC has contributed knowledge, skills and experience to the education of young architects at Waterloo for two decades and made repeated contributions of technical expertise to institutions in the local area. Both the generosity and ability as teachers are extraordinary.”

Rick Haldenby, O'Donovan Director

University of Waterloo, School of Architecture

Over the years we have worked HGC on numerous projects ranging from 1300 seat performance auditoriums to 300 seat churches and in all cases we have been impressed with the high level of service and the excellent results. Our clients have all been very complimentary on the excellent acoustic results in their buildings.”

David Parker, President

Parker Architects

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