Building acoustics embraces the design of indoor environments to achieve acceptable levels of privacy, communication, and comfort for the building occupants. Acoustical performance involves room shaping, reverberation control and the location and separation of spaces. Noise control concerns may encompass the design of the building envelope, the placement and isolation of mechanical spaces and the design and control of ventilation, exhaust and air conditioning systems. Vibration issues include the control of walker-induced vibration and vibration isolation of major mechanical systems.
Building Acoustics
Quality Environments Require Good Acoustics
Improving Sound Quality, Reducing Noise, Ensuring Privacy
Our Services
Criteria Development
Room Shaping
Finish Recommendations for Reverberation Control
Vibration Isolation of Building Equipment
HVAC Noise Control
Partitions, Doors, and Windows for Sound Isolation
Architectural Details for Acoustics
Background Noise Measurements and Troubleshooting
Sound Isolation and Reverberation Measurements
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Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience
California Institute of Technology
The Chen Neuroscience Research Building is a Gold LEED certified facility that supports vibration and noise sensitive spaces including laboratory spaces and a large lecture hall. The building is three stories tall and includes two basement levels. We provided acoustical input regarding partitions for behavioral suites with stringent STC requirements as well as architectural acoustics support for offices, conference rooms and the lecture hall. Additionally, we provided support for vibration control via the structural and mechanical design for the vivarium and research labs. A site survey was conducted to confirm that the area was not problematic with regards to vibration and noise. Additionally, measurements were taken to verify that the construction of CNRB did not negatively affect nearby sensitive spaces on campus.
Stieff Building Materials Characterization & Processing Facility
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company / Johns Hopkins University
The Materials Characterization and Processing core facility is maintained by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The MCP serves the entire Johns Hopkins community, with focus on inorganic characterization and processing.
Our vibration surveys for both post-demolition, and post-construction of the lower level labs were consistent with results prior to the start of the project.
Campus-Wide Environmental Noise Model
National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD
We worked with NIH to develop a comprehensive detailed computer environmental noise model of their entire campus in Bethesda, MD.
Student Success and Access Center
California State University - Long Beach
A renovation of the existing Peterson Hall 2, the center is dedicated to increasing services for CSULB’s tens of thousands of students. The facility serves as the new Bob Murphy Access Center, formerly known as Disabled Student Services. The Student Success Center also houses programs such as BUILD, which supports undergraduate research in the health sciences, and the Women’s Gender & Equity Center.
William Eckhardt Research Center
University of Chicago
This multifaceted research center is home to the Institute for Molecular Engineering, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics, the Dean’s Office of Physical Sciences, and the Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility.
G.G. Brown Laboratories Addition
University of Michigan
This new facility houses The Center of Excellence in Nano Mechanical Science and Engineering, and includes a state-of-the-art Ultra-Low Vibration Facility. The unique and innovative vibration and noise control design for the ULV facility resulted in some of the lowest vibration amplitudes we've ever measured.
Central Energy Facility
Stanford University
Place a large new power plant on the Stanford University campus, next to the golf course, in proximity to Stanford Hospital, other campus buildings, and nearby residences – and remain a good neighbor.
Alkek Hospital Expansion – Construction Noise and Vibration Control
M.D. Anderson, Houston TX
Construction vibration and noise control for a 12-story expansion atop an operating 12-story hospital.
Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center includes a 10-story, 98-laboratory research tower, a seven-story, 108-bed inpatient treatment center, and a multi-disciplinary treatment center.
Biodesign C
Arizona State University
A five-story, 189,759 SF, LEED Platinum research facility located next to an active light rail track and a busy highway containing a mixture of laboratory types: high bay spaces, multi level generic laboratories, and a Compact X-Ray Light Source facility.
Parking Structure 6
City of Santa Monica
This award winning parking structure included a high-end retail space, which could not tolerate significant vibration from cars driving next door and overhead.