Student builds successful career

Thursday 29 June 2006

A final year Construction Management student studying noise impact through floors has become the first student from the University of Newcastle to receive a scholarship from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in the UK.

Silvana Wirepa has been chosen from a field of international applicants to receive a CIOB Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Fund scholarship. This follows the news that she will also receive a $2,000 grant from the Australian Building Codes Board.

Silvana's study will review the current Building Code of Australia policy of addressing the reduction of noise impact through floors.

"We are seeing more people leave the traditional home in the suburbs for an apartment or townhouse in the city. This means that we are living closer together and in today's architectural environment, good acoustical design isn't a luxury - it's a necessity," says Silvana.

Silvana said impact sound includes heavy foot treading and the click-clack of high heels, particularly on bare timber or floor tiles, banging drawers or doors, scraping furniture and items being dropped."

"Our perception of this noise is then affected by subjective factors including the type of noise, our mood, the time of day, background noise levels and our expectations.

"Acoustics impact everything, including the market value of apartments, duplexes, townhouses and single-family dwellings. Understanding these differences and knowing how to utilise building materials, system design and technologies are key factors behind successful acoustical design."

Silvana, who completed a Bachelor of Architecture Science at the University in 1999 and numerous courses in OHS, Real Estate and Small Business Management, says she is honoured to receive the scholarship and grant.

"It is exciting to receive funding from these two prestigious bodies," says Silvana. "It recognises the importance of the study I am conducting."

Professor Michael Ostwald, Head of the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University, says Silvana's study is both timely and important.

"Recent state government planning policies are promoting high-density urban living and different modes of medium density suburban inhabitation. Despite this shift in planning strategies, the impact of construction on acoustics has not been reviewed.

"This research is well suited to Silvana's multi-disciplinary background, her past qualifications and her approach to problems which is both professional and tenacious. Silvana is evidence of the industry-ready students completing degrees at the University of Newcastle."

For more information contact Silvana Wirepa's supervisor, Senior Lecturer Willy Sher, on 02 4921 5792.