Product Review: Printable Acoustic Cloth
December 1, 2010
Sometimes it seems like acoustics and aesthetics are at odds with one another. But some companies, such as Whisper Walls® are trying to bridge the gap. The company’s WhisperArt product offers varying sizes of sound-dampening panels with the ability to
Focus on Acoustics: Trees as Sound Barriers
August 1, 2010
When we work on a project to mitigate the impact of an environmental noise source (such as a nearby highway or outdoor cooling tower) on a residence or outside use space (such as a playground), someone always asks about putting
Project Profile: California Science Center
April 1, 2010
Patrick Gallegos of Gallegos Lighting, now a Thorburn Associates Studio, unveiled his most recent project at the California Science Center on March 25. The museum’s new wing, called Ecosystems, surrounds guests with the sensations of each Ecosystem environment, eliciting an
Focus on Acoustics: Keeping Bowling Alley Noise in the Gutter
April 1, 2010
Modern bowling alleys have transitioned from the stale, smoky lounges of decades past to family entertainment centers that offer a variety of activities. Frequently, bowling alleys are now part of larger buildings such as shopping malls and even mixed-use developments
Project Profile: Research Triangle Institute
February 1, 2010
Thorburn Associates was pleased to work with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) on their Building 8 Auditorium. Approximately 200 seats, the project was built by Duke Construction. TA provided both audiovisual and acoustical consulting for this user-friendly meeting and briefing space.
Focus on Technology: Overhead Microphone Systems
December 1, 2009
Your ears are really good acoustical measurement tools. Sit in a space alone sometime, clear your mind, and see how many different sounds you can identify. Very often, you will be able to pick out five or six sounds and
Focus on Acoustics: Containing Fan and Duct Noise
December 1, 2009
During a recent tour of an existing campus, we were shown a classroom that was in the process of having a complete, bells-and-whistles audiovisual package installed to support a distance learning program. However, our project meeting quickly took an unscheduled
Product Review: Fabric Duct
October 1, 2009
Fabric duct products, such as DuctSox, are often specified nowadays as a lower cost alternative to traditional metal ductwork for large spaces – such as gymnasiums, cafeterias, and convention halls – where large volumes of air need to be evenly
Focus on Acoustics: LEED Conflicts – The Impact Synergies Have on Good Design Practices and Acoustics
October 1, 2009
Sustainable design and LEED requirements are transforming the building industry. But like any shift in practice, there’s a domino effect. A number of sustainable design options that earn a building IEQ credits (indoor environmental quality) in some respects are at
Product Review: Pyrok
August 1, 2009
What does the abbreviation “NRC” mean to you? To acousticians it usually means Noise Reduction Coefficient, a single number rating for the absorptive characteristics of a specific material AND mounting condition at four frequencies within the range of speech. It