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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
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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
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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
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Focus on Technology: TEA’s SATE Conference

August 1, 2009   
Storytelling. Architecture. Technology. Experience. These are the four basic components of a successful visitor attraction and perhaps any facility that involves a human experience. Since the beginning of time, storytelling has incorporated props and special effects (even if just a
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Focus on Acoustics: Ceiling Treatments

August 1, 2009   
Note: TA provided this article for the August 2009 issue of Buildings. Good acoustical design is an integral part of making a space fulfill its purpose. Whether we’re looking at retail space, a restaurant, open-plan offices, a videoconference room, a
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Project Highlight: National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters

June 1, 2009   
One of the top challenges at the new 237,000 sq. ft. North Carolina National Guard headquarters was to create infrastructure that would facilitate the real-time efforts of multiple agencies housed in the building – supporting their everyday work as well
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Project Highlight: De Anza College Performing Arts Center

April 1, 2009   
The new De Anza College Visual and Performing Arts Center in Cupertino, California held its grand opening March 6-8. The 20,500 square foot building on Stevens Creek Boulevard is a unique resource for the arts in Silicon Valley and was
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Focus on Acoustics: Hear and Be Heard – The Case for Acoustics in Themed Entertainment

April 1, 2009   
Just as they are for conference rooms, auditoriums and commercial spaces, acoustical considerations are integral to the design of family entertainment centers, themed restaurants, theme parks, water parks, museums and other visitor attractions. (We call it Acoustically Integrated aRchitecture, or
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Product Reviews: The Thorburn Office Experience

April 1, 2009   
The new equipment and infrastructure helps make Thorburn Associates’ new North Carolina offices a pleasant, modern, functional space and an exemplary, working model of an open-plan office, featuring an exposed ceiling grid and first-rate acoustics. The office design is in
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More Client Expectations

February 6, 2009   
“Learn who your client is, ask about their expectations, and listen to the answer.” That was how I closed my previous column, in which I detailed some of our experiences being on the client side of the fence, while building