Helipad Solutions
October 1, 2007
Corporations, television stations, police and firefighters use helipads, even high-end residential estates. The noise from the helicopters as they approach, land, and take off can be extremely disruptive to anyone within earshot. At Thorburn Associates our Engineers can provide the
Product Review: Perforated Wood Panels
August 1, 2007
The need to adjust the acoustics in a commercial setting is apparent in many common areas. Common areas planned for only pedestrian circulation are now being converted into lobbies, break rooms and cafeterias that need a balanced reverberation time to
Project Highlight: San Francisco GSA Building
August 1, 2007
The San Francisco Federal Building was designed by Thom Mayne, principal of Santa Monica-based Morphosis and assisted by The Smith Group in San Francisco. Located on Mission and Seventh Streets in the South of Market neighborhood, the SF Federal Building
Focus on Acoustics: High-Rise Buildings
August 1, 2007
Determining proper acoustics for high-rise buildings involves: the intention of the space, speech privacy, background noise and sound masking. The goal is to select acoustical finishes that will meet the visions of the owner and the architect while providing a
Product Perusal: Fire-Rated Back Boxes
April 1, 2007
Back boxes have long been available for small applications such as loudspeakers, recessed lights or electrical boxes. They provide a fire-rated casing to separate these items from the insulation within a wall. Now you can get a back box big
Project Highlight: Bartlett High School
April 1, 2007
Bartlett High School has a multi-function auditorium that doubles as a public venue for Performing Arts in Anchorage, Alaska. Designed and built on a high school budget, this theatre, “rivals that of the Anchorage Performance Arts Center,” said Jack Thomasen,
Product Perusal: Zigbee
February 1, 2007
Zigbee is a low power consumption WiPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network). Zigbee is a protocol, similar to Bluetooth technology, which runs the WiPAN for low data rates. It is geared toward remote controlled technology to extend battery life. For example,
Project Highlight: San Jose Cambrian Branch Library
February 1, 2007
Libraries now days are competing with large bookstores and the Cambrian Branch has the means to be a contender. San Jose’s new library, designed by Anderson Brulé Architects, opened in November. The LEED certified building is 28,000 sq. ft. and
Sound Myth-Understandings
February 1, 2007
A myth is a story handed down through history, often orally, that explains the unknown. In some cases, we have heard these myths so often we never question their veracity. The word itself comes from the Greek, “mythos” which meant
Home Theater Equation
February 1, 2007
Bigger is not always better, or at least that’s the case with televisions, plasma and LCD projection screens. This week, more big-screen TV’s are sold due to Super Bowl-mania than any other time of year. Some considerations: –How big is