Custom Soundproof Structure Enables 105dB Events at Villa Arrigo, Malta

How Direct Acoustics delivered nightclub-level sound in a residential area without disturbing neighbours

Set amidst the prestigious San Pawl Tat-Targa district on the Maltese islands, Villa Arrigo is a striking colonial-style villa with a rich history as a luxury venue for weddings and high-profile events. Since the early 1970s, it has hosted hundreds of celebrations each year, offering guests an elegant setting with timeless charm.

At the centre of the venue’s grounds sits a large marquee, used for dining, seating and dancing. Designed to keep the party going well into the night, it has become a core feature of Villa Arrigo’s appeal. However, its location is uniquely sensitive, sandwiched between the British Consulate and a residential property just 36 metres away, meaning that sound management is not just important, but essential.

The Challenge: Proximity to Neighbours

With events running late into the night and music levels reaching night club levels, the marquee’s proximity to nearby properties had started to raise concerns. Despite Villa Arrigo’s popularity, the risk of disturbing local residents and facing potential restrictions was becoming increasingly real.

To safeguard its future, the management team set out to find a way to maintain their full calendar of high-energy events without exceeding noise thresholds at neighbouring properties.

The Solution: A Bespoke Acoustic Structure

Direct Acoustics were brought in by design consultancy Pro Invest to work alongside architect Edwin Mintoff. The brief was clear: develop an acoustic strategy that would allow Villa Arrigo to keep delivering unforgettable events at full volume, while ensuring that noise would not escape the marquee and disturb the surrounding area.

We designed and installed a completely bespoke acoustic structure within a tight construction window of just over two weeks. At the core of this solution was a custom steel portal frame supporting a new soundproofed structure. We integrated a mass audio ceiling and built a function room using acoustic glass, following the room-within-a-room principle to contain sound effectively while maintaining the space’s visual openness.

To manage how sound travelled within the marquee, we installed a carefully designed speaker system. This included our highly directional Zone Array, known for its precision targeting, combined with a conventional PA system with a line array . This hybrid setup allowed us to direct sound energy exactly where it was needed, on the dancefloor, and away from the venue boundaries.

From start to finish, their professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to quality were evident. We were particularly impressed with their clear communication throughout the process, their adherence to very tight timelines, and the clean, respectful manner in which the work was carried out.
Veronica Zammit-Tabona
Managing Director- Villa Arrigo

Getting in to the Technicality

In most wedding venues, our goal is to deliver a minimum of 95dB LAeq (T 3 mins) on the dancefloor- loud enough to keep guests engaged, while ensuring the L90 at the monitoring location (typically one metre from the nearest property’s façade) remains within the limits defined by the Clubs and Pubs Act.

At Villa Arrigo, we went a step further. The combination of structural interventions and advanced speaker systems allows us to achieve 105dB on the dancefloor, twice the sound energy of 95dB, while still falling well within acceptable parameters at the monitoring point. For the layman, that means this venue runs at the volume of a nightclub, yet residents sleeping less than 40 metres away are left completely undisturbed. An outcome we’re proud of, and one that speaks directly to the precision and effectiveness of our approach.

The team demonstrated excellent knowledge of effective soundproofing techniques and worked efficiently to ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding neighbourhood. Their solutions were both practical and highly effective, significantly reducing noise levels and allowing the event to proceed smoothly without any complaints or concerns from local residents.
Veronica Zammit-Tabona
Managing Director- Villa Arrigo

Business Transformation Results

Villa Arrigo can now confidently run events with the volume and with the atmosphere guests are looking for while not disturbing the neighbours. The new structure offers both aesthetic elegance and robust sound insulation, ensuring the venue retains its premium feel while complying with strict acoustic control.

Thanks to this solution, the venue has preserved its reputation, safeguarded its business, and can continue to host hundreds of events a year without compromise. This project highlights how acoustic design, when done thoughtfully and expertly, can protect a venue’s future while enhancing the guest experience.

At Direct Acoustic Solutions, this is exactly the kind of challenge we’re built to solve.

Thanks to their outstanding workmanship, we were able to host a successful event while maintaining good relations with the local community. We would not hesitate to recommend Direct Acoustics to anyone in need of reliable and high-quality soundproofing services.
Veronica Zammit-Tabona
Managing Director- Villa Arrigo
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