As winter turns to spring people start talking to their architect or landscape designer about a new hot tub or pool, or perhaps it’s a new air conditioner or even an emergency generator. Soon we will start to get phone calls from homeowners at their wits end because they’ve lost many hours of sleep due… Read more »
Video vs Audio
By: Steve Thorburn There is often a chill that runs up your spine when something is really well done. That happened for me the first time I heard the “THX chord” in a theater. It reinforced that audio gives us the emotion and can be much more than 50 percent of the experience. Even the… Read more »
Product Review: Insight Lighting’s SmartWall® Ever Changing Wall Color!
The true measure of sustainability in LED lighting products today has less to do with quantity of light and more to do with efficient management of the digital source. Insight’s revolutionary SmartWall® employs their proven SmartEdge® digital LED technology with a unique engraving process to create luminous white light and color changing wall systems. Whether… Read more »
Focus on Lighting: A Look Into Lamp Technology and Lighting Legislation
The federal government is pushing toward more energy efficient solutions with regard to lighting and lamp selections, or what is more commonly referred to as “going green”. This will result in changes over the next couple of years with regard to the lamps that will be available for purchase. Several governments around the world, including… Read more »
Focus on Technology: Audiovisual- A Quick-Start Guide to Video Conferencing Installation
Let’s assume you have just received the new video-conferencing-system-in-a-box that you ordered online from AcmeAV. The room it will be installed in is relatively small, seating 10 to 12 people. Before you start unpacking all those cables and reading that 765 page instruction manual, here is a list of tips and rules of thumb to… Read more »
Focus on Acoustics: An Update on the Design Impact of Acoustical Standards
At Thorburn Associates we keep an eye on many rating systems and standards that affect our work as acoustical consultants. These rating systems and standards are a way to help ensure that buildings will work for their intended purpose. The end of the year is a good time to assess where things stand and what… Read more »
The Elusive System Check Out
By: Steve Thorburn Increasingly, in both our home and work environments, we live in a world of automation. And, accordingly, our demands have risen just beyond the limits of reasonable expedemands ctation. Is it any wonder, then, that we frequently hear “What do you mean I have to adjust it? Isn’t it digital?” With Digital… Read more »
Product Review: guidePORT Visitor Information System
Visitor guidance is taken to the next level with guidePORT, a digital wireless visitor information system specifically developed for optimum presentation of exhibitions. Ever go to an exhibit and want more detailed information on one item while the person you are with wants more detailed information on another item? With guidePORT, visitors can get detailed… Read more »
Focus on Lighting: Taking Control of Architectural Lighting
Architectural lighting should be designed to complement your needs and as your needs change throughout the day, your lighting should adapt accordingly. Lighting controls are the answer. Several options are available to help make your environment and your life more comfortable and “green”. Lighting controls can be as simple as the familiar toggle or rocker… Read more »
Focus on Technology: The Greening Power of AV
Green power or green technology is a concept that has become a general buzzword in the construction industry. In its most general terms, it means using renewable power. It first started showing the most presence with building owners trying to get LEED certification for buildings. For example, for projects attempting to obtain the LEED green… Read more »
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