Senior Acoustic Consultant
BSc (Hons), MPhil, MIOA
ANC accredited for Sound Insulation and EAS Level 2 accredited for Air Tightness Testing
Robust Details Deputy Inspector North East England, Scotland, and Ireland
Graduated with a First Class B.Sc (Hons) in Architectural Technology (2003) and a Master in Philosophy (M.Phil) in applied building acoustics (2007) from Edinburgh Napier University, and completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control from the Institute of Acoustics (2006). Draftsman for the Robust Details programme for Part E of the England and Wales Building Regulations which won the Queen’s anniversary prize. Joint author of Sound within the Metric Handbook 7th Edition. Russell Macdonald joined RMP Consultants in 2007. He has developed a wide portfolio of acoustic projects throughout the UK, whilst still maintaining links with the wider University to support industry engaged research projects.
With a detailed knowledge of project lifecycles and stakeholders, design work includes novel off-site/modular systems, using everything from concrete to CLT, and cinema refurbishment. Russell is particularly interested in noise control mitigation within noise impact/complaint projects.
Family and work life’s happily merge between bike commutes over as many hills as legs permit. Remote work trips are relished as an opportunity to do some bird watching, loading his camper with equipment and family. Recently Russell realised he had an interest in industrial heritage and building history through an increasing collection of bricks.
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Skills and accreditations:
- ANC Building Regulation registered Sound Insulation Tester.
- Elmhurst Airtightness Testing Scheme (EAS) Level 2 (multi-fan/commercial) Air Tightness Tester.
- Experienced thermographer and building surveyor.
- Robust Details Deputy Inspector North East England, Scotland and Ireland.
- Proficient at acoustic modelling using Cadna, Odeon, Insul, AutoCAD and Sketchup combinations.
Industrial Noise Control
Russell has undertaken numerous noise impact assessments and investigations at a wide range of sites and sources, supported with noise modelling as required. Projects include; Pollution Prevention Control licencing assessments for SEPA at Scottish Leather Group’s extensive manufacturing sites, BESS planning noise impact assessment, planning enquiry evidence for Anaerobic Digestion Plant at Ballencrieff, ETSU assessments of medium sized wind turbine’s at Terex Motherwell, and BS4142 new build distillery planning assessments and complaint investigations at many distilleries including Aberlour and Glenmorangie.
Acoustic Design
Russell has provided acoustic design advice on numerous domestic and commercial projects requiring an excellent understanding of project structures and responsibilities, and has a particular interest in building renovation. Projects include; cinemas for Intu Broadmarsh and The Light Cinema Huddersfield, Hotel designs such as at the Hilton Old Trafford Cricket Ground, 13 storey Scotway House student halls development, Cala Homes Jordan Hill Campus residential re-development and the Yoker Cross Laminated (CLT) tallest timber building in Scotland.
Civic Building Design
Russell led the acoustics design for the Western Isles Schools project, the largest construction project ever undertaken on the Islands (£70m), including new build/refurbishment primary and secondary schools with community leisure facilities and theatre. Award winning schools include the Easthouses Primary School and CLT Passivhaus Sciennes Primary School Annex. ODEON acoustic modelling is used to achieve reverberation time/Speech Transmissibility requirements. Other notable projects include listed and new build elements of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital redevelopment, CAT B fit-out of 190k sq.ft HMRC Hub office in Edinburgh, James Hutton Institute Just Transition Outreach centre, and Scottish Co-Op museum in East Calder.
Acoustic Testing
Russell regularly undertakes sound insulation and acoustic testing throughout the UK for a variety of projects including: laboratory insulation and absorption rating, commercial completion testing (cinemas, hotels), façade insulation measurement, pre-conversion testing including pubs and clubs, as well as being a Robust Details Deputy Inspector within North East England, Scotland and Ireland.
Air Tightness Testing
Russell is Level 2 accredited by the Elmhurst Airtightness Testing Scheme (EAS) to undertake Air Tightness Testing of domestic and commercial buildings. Experience also includes provision of accredited training schemes and assessments, CPD events for NHBC, roles on technical advisory committees and utilisation of smoke and thermography for energy assessment/diagnostic purposes.
Please see below some of the projects Russell has worked on.
