Ordnance Survey Headquarters, Southampton

I went to the Ordnance Survey to give a talk today and was struck by this big red brick wall.

Why is it there? it's an acoustic wall apparently.

"To prevent motorway noise entering the openable windows of the business centre, which houses the organisation’s commercial and public functions, the offices have been cloaked by a large flanking acoustic wall. This provides effective acoustic protection, whilst allowing the maximum environmental benefit from its natural ventilation system. Some 11.25m high at its southern end, the wall is built using a reinforced cantilevered concrete frame completely encased in Ibstock’s Priory Red brick."