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Focus on Acoustics: Acoustically Integrated Architecture in the LEED Era, Part I

February 1, 2009   
The concept of Acoustically Integrated aRchitecture (AIR – a term coined by Thorburn Associates) is basic enough: AIR is a best practice in which the interface of disciplines (architecture, acoustics, AV engineering, lighting, interior design, etc.) creates spaces that foster
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Product Review: PowerPax Battery Caddy

February 1, 2009   
Here’s an item that exemplifies the virtues of simplicity and utility: the PowerPax Battery Caddy, manufactured in St. Charles, IL. It’s like an egg carton for batteries. Loose batteries are a potential acid-leaking hazard, and hard to keep track of.
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Project Highlight: Georgetown County Judicial Center

February 1, 2009   
The Georgetown County Judicial Center in South Carolina is a brand new, 79,300 square foot, $19.5 million facility, designed by Michael Walker of Tych & Walker Architects. Thorburn Associates was brought onto the design team by Tych & Walker in
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Focus on Technology: Build the Perfect Teaching Station

February 1, 2009   
The perfect teaching station reflects the needs of the faculty; the facilities design group, and the technology maintenance people at the educational facility for which it is built. The instructors need a simple, no-hassle, minimal maintenance system that feels like
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Product Review: Analog Signage

December 1, 2008   
Let’s face it: Sometimes you don’t need a projection system or a monitor. Sometimes you just need a sign! But even plain old signage has been moving forward and making the most of advances in technology. An example is the
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Project News: Madison County Courthouse Restoration

December 1, 2008   
Audiovisual systems in America’s courtrooms are nothing new these days. Many of us remember the O.J. Simpson murder trial and how Judge Ito would say, “Put it on the Elmo,” (Elmo being a brand of video document camera). Most new-construction
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Focus on Technology: AV & IT Convergence

December 1, 2008   
Convergence seizes two different technologies that originated with different purposes, and integrates them to have a common function in a common environment. In the current evolution of the Audiovisual industry, there is a convergence with the Information Technology Industry, so
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Focus on Acoustics: The Cocktail Party Effect

December 1, 2008   
We’ve all been to parties – especially around this time of year as we celebrate the holidays – and noticed how noisy these events can become. As the wine runs low, the noise level often runs high, but what’s really
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Great Expectations

November 1, 2008   
Do you know what your client expects from a project? Currently, we’re experiencing life from the client side of the fence, and learning from the experience. Thorburn Associates is expanding its offices in North Carolina. We grew, we ran out
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Product Review: Netwell Noise Control

October 1, 2008   
Minneapolis-based Netwell has been serving the acoustics industry for more than 20 years with a wide range of noise control products. Netwell supplies more than 60 products to the acoustics market and prides itself on cost-effectiveness and small orders. Sound