Facade Sound Insulation in Heritage Buildings: Acoustic Diagnosis of the Paraná State Court of Accounts Before Revitalization

The preservation of architectural heritage in urban environments poses challenges when addressing environmental noise exposure and ensuring indoor acoustic comfort. This study evaluates the airborne sound insulation performance of the façades of the Paraná State Court of Accounts (TCE-PR), a heritage-listed government complex located in the Civic Center of Curitiba, a planned governmental district of high urban and cultural significance. The methodology involved eight in situ façade sound insulation tests, conducted in accordance with ISO 16283-3 and ISO 717-1, to assess the performance of different glazing and aluminum frame configurations used in the historical buildings. The results revealed consistent insulation values across the Annex Building, which features a more recent construction with uniform volumetry and geometry. In contrast, the Sede Building, the oldest structure in the complex, exhibited greater variations in façade insulation performance, influenced by differences in architectural geometry, room volumetry, and the deterioration of existing façade elements. This assessment provides a diagnostic record of the current acoustic performance, serving as a reference for future comparisons following restoration efforts. Establishing a baseline of façade insulation performance is essential to demonstrate improvements post-revitalization, ensuring that preservation efforts not only maintain architectural integrity but also enhance acoustic comfort in heritage buildings.