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
Project Profile: NCCU Pearson Cafeteria and Teaching Kitchen
August 1, 2010
The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Pearson Cafeteria Renovation and Expansion project includes a modern cafeteria with a seating capacity of 1,750 students, dining facilities for staff and various conference rooms. Since the project’s inception in 2003, the project budget
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
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
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
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
Project Profile: Quintiles
August 1, 2009
Quintiles Transnational, which helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies develop and market innovative therapies, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters in Durham, North Carolina. At 252,000 square feet, the new, 10- story, glass-and-concrete structure, with room
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