Sounding Off: Our Blog
Thoughts, insights, and perspectives on the latest news, trends, and issues regarding architectural acoustics, environmental and industrial noise and vibration, and audiovisual systems design.
Acoustical Consulting Merger
Acoustics By Design, Inc. and Daly-Standlee & Associates, Inc., two leading independent acoustical consulting firms, announced the merger of their businesses, effective April 1, 2016. Acoustics By Design, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Daly-Standlee & Associates in Portland, Oregon, provide a full range of acoustical engineering and consulting, and AV design services to architects, engineers, facilities directors, municipalities, industrial clients and building owners.
Closed Office Acoustics and Privacy Concerns
We regularly hear from corporate clients regarding closed office privacy concerns. Acoustical challenges of an open office environment are manifold, but crosstalk between closed office spaces, or conference rooms, can be just as distracting. Typically, when these calls come in, we have a standard list of questions that we ask potential clients about their current environment to try to get an understanding of why they feel they have no privacy between closed offices.
We’ve Got a Tech Guy
Sometimes when we work with an organization like a church, a school, university, or corporate client, we hear that they already have a tech guy (or girl of course). They’ve had, or recently acquired someone who is responsible for the technical systems. Now that a larger project has come up, the question is inevitably asked, “why should we hire a technical systems designer, when we already have a tech guy?” It’s not that your guy isn’t awesome at what he or she does. It’s actually a completely different discipline.
What’s Shakin’ in Healthcare
Unfortunately, sometimes it’s the walls, the floor, or the ceiling. It seems like every hospital I’ve visited lately is under construction, renovating their current space or planning for large additions. With all the changes, it’s easy to forget about the “unseen” aspects of the design, such as Mechanical Noise and Vibration Control.
Acoustics and LEED For Schools
When most people hear about the Acoustic Standards in the LEED for Schools Rating System (LEED v4), their eyes start to glaze over like a pair of day-old Krispy Kremes. With over thirty pages of detailed acoustical design criteria, the ANSI Standards are a force to be reckoned with. What are the basic principles of acoustical design that will “LEED” to enhanced learning environments, happy school board officials, and of course… impressive LEED scores?
The Resonance in Your Residence Part 3
Finding a quiet place to live can be tricky business and can take a bit of time. Research, multiple visits, and looking for red flags are all necessary steps if you want to live in peace and quiet.
The Resonance in Your Residence Part 2
When the noise from the condo or apartment unit above sounds like your neighbor’s favorite shoes are a pair of bricks, it can be a struggle. It’s not just multi-family and mixed-use units, single family homes can fall prey to unwanted noises that move from room to room. If you’re looking for some DIY option to help with the echo in your home – please see The Resonance in Your Residence Part 1. Here, we’re talking about those annoying noises from upstairs or next door.
The Resonance in Your Residence Part 1
You’ve just moved into your new home, or maybe you recently did some renovations and there it is – noise. Unwanted sound right where you live. There’s an echo, a hum, or you can hear everything going on next door, every footstep above, and the traffic outside is louder than you thought. You love your home, but the sound is making you crazy.
Taking the Din out of Dinner
Zagat’s 2015 State of Dining in America survey of more than 10,000 diners across the country showed that noise was second only to service as a top dining-out irritant. Comments included, “Great food and service, but the place was so loud we had to shout over dinner. Not cool.” Working with an independent acoustical consultant in your restaurant design and construction, or renovation process can help “Take The Din Out of Dinner.” —Dana Tanyeri
2015 Best And Brightest Winner
As 2015 comes to a close, Acoustics By Design is delighted to be among this year’s National Best and Brightest Companies To Work For.