About Us

Provide clients with quality acoustical consulting, technology system engineering, and lighting design services at a fair value.

Company Overview

At Thorburn Associates, we are professionals who work hard to provide quality, innovative designs to our clients. Thorburn Associates is a full service Acoustical Consulting, Technology Engineering, and Lighting Design firm. Founded in 1992 by principals who have consulted on and managed more than 3600 projects, we understand that our client’s satisfaction is key to our success. We provide a full range of services which allow the client, architect, or end-user a single point of contact during design and construction.

We understand that great design is a blend of art and science. We specialize in acoustical, audiovisual, and lighting design, creating environments that not only look and sound great but also feel right. Our expertise extends to the technical side of things with audiovisual, structured cabling, and security designs. We pride ourselves on our deep understanding of the latest industry trends, ensuring that our solutions are both innovative and future-proof. We work with our clients to craft spaces that are not only functional and beautiful, but also technologically advanced and secure.

Our team is approachable and accessible, including our principals who are highly involved with all projects. We think holistically about our projects recommending cost effective, functional, and durable solutions.

Thorburn Associates is an independent consulting firm—not associated with the sale of any specific brand-offering unbiased designs to improve communication and fully realize the functionality of all projects. Our staff frequently attends industry events to exchange knowledge with their peers as well as present technical seminars to increase the knowledge base within the industry.

Quality Designs Since 1992

Thorburn Associates is a design and engineering company founded in 1992 to provide architectural clients both acoustical consulting and audiovisual system engineering from one firm.

By 1995, Thorburn Associates had more than tripled in size and moved from its original offices on Hillcrest Avenue to an office in Castro Valley, California.

In the Fall of 2001, Thorburn Associates moved again to larger offices in Castro Valley. Over the next decade Thorburn Associates continued to expand and excel in the acoustical and audiovisual design fields. We now employ a staff of engineers, designers, drafters, technical assistants and support staff with offices in Los Angeles, CA, Orlando, FL, Charlotte, NC, and our main office in Raleigh-Durham, NC.

In 2021, Thorburn Associates welcomed Kalen Larson as the new Managing Principal, bringing a fresh perspective and renewed leadership to the firm.

With the expansion of services to include growing technologies and lighting design in addition to top quality support our continued growth is assured. The firm’s success is rooted in our belief of close cooperation and adherence to the highest professional ideals.

We have been recognized as one of the leading firms in the industry and our projects have received multiple awards.

Certifications

As a professional services consulting firm, Thorburn Associates holds numerous certifications.

professional designations

  • PE (Professional Engineer)
  • CTS (Certified Technology Specialist)
  • CTS-D (Certified Technology Specialist – Design)
  • EIT (Engineer in Training, the pre-requisite for Professional Engineer)

Awards

Thorburn Associates is pleased to have been recognized and received the following awards:

  • Themed Entertainment Association THEA Outstanding Achievement Award, 2023, Jurassic World Isla Nublar, Universal Beijing Resort
  • AIA NC Honor Award, 2023, YMCA Camp Kanata Dining Hall
  • AIA North Carolina Merit Award, 2022, Wake Tech Community College Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence
  • USGBC Community Leader Award, 2022, Raleigh Law Enforcement Training Center
  • AIA NC Design Merit Award, 2021, Western Carolina University, Brown Dining Hall
  • AIA Charlotte New Construction Merit Award, 2018, Western Carolina University, Brown Hall
  • AIA COTE Award, 2017, New Belgium Brewing
  • AIA NC Merit Award, 2014, Appalachian State University, Plemmons Student Union Addition