Robert Mahoney, Robert Mahoney & Associates, Boulder, CO
The design of both these spaces utilize DiffusorBlox®, Golden Pyramids™ and FRG Omniffusors™. They were completed almost simultaneously.

"Emporia State University is part of the State University system of Kansas. The project is the Addition and Remodel to Beach Music Hall on the campus of Emporia State University. Diffusorblox and various other RPG ceiling products were used in both the Vocal Rehearsal and Instrumental Rehearsal rooms. Each room is just under 5,000 sf in area. The Diffusorblox were chosen because they provided a high degree of diffusion, a modest amount of low frequency absorption in an assembly that also served as a bearing wall and a shear wall. By combining so many functions in a single product we were able to advance the project schedule and simplify the coordination among the trades."

"Murphy Hall is located on the Lawerence campus of the University of Kansas. The project is a Remodel and Addition to the existing facility. The palette of diffusing and absorbing products was attractive in this application for similar reasons: consolidation of many functions, acoustical, structural, etc. Other considerations were the necessity of accommodating the entire University of Kansas band in a single space, and to provide durability and longevity in the rehearsal area, that sees a lot of movement of instruments, stands, chairs, etc. and therefore is subject to considerable wear and tear."

RPG seminars accredited by AIA Continuing Education System
RPG now offers four AIA/CES accredited seminars on various aspects of architectural acoustics.

The Next Generation of Acoustic Finishes, Shapes and Services
( AIA/CES AF1011 1 LuHour )
Participants learn how recent innovation and technology has resulted in a much broader variety of architectural finishes, shapes and services that solve age-old acoustic problems in the built environment.

Acoustical Diffusor Design/Computerized Shape Optimization
( AIA/CES DD1011 1 LuHour ) Participants learn the basic theory and history of sound diffusion as well as why sound diffusion is so essential in critical listening environments. A variety of methods, materials and products for diffusing sound will be presented.

Minimizing Acoustical Distortion in Critical Listening Spaces
( AIA/CES AD1011 1 LuHour )
Participants learn how sound reproduced in a critical listening room can be affected, positively or negatively, by a room's architectural surfaces prior to it arriving at the ears of a listener. A variety of methods, materials and products for minimizing the negative distortion of the reproduced sound are presented.

Desktop Acoustic Auralization of Architectural Spaces
( AIA/CES CA1011 1 LuHour )
Participants learn how recent innovation and technology in computer modeling has resulted in a reliable method for predicting the quality of a room's acoustics prior to its construction. Basic theory and examples of its application in practice are presented.

CATT Acoustic V8 now available
CATT-Acoustic V8 is released with the following major additions:

• Extension to include 8k and 16kHz octave-bands (extrapolation as required)
• Surface property colors
• Enhanced surface info (colors/graphs)
• "Marker" objects for non-acoustical elements (e.g. actual geometry of an RPG diffuser)
• Loudspeaker 3D "Visuals"
• DLL Directivity Interface Array Visuals
• Directivity -9,-6 or -3 dB contours
• Interactive aiming in 3D-viewer
• Direct sound mapping enhancements
• Reflector coverage plots
• Vectorgram plots
• Improved 2D and 3D graphics
• Multi-channel walkthrough morphing convolver using full-length room responses (can even include head-rotations)
• 5-channel auralization with user-configured mic setups
• Sequence (batch) processing interface improved
• Reference RT plots
• Automatic calculation of IACC
• 3D-viewer enhancements
• "Hidden options" for special user requests
• New printed manual.

In addition, numerous small improvements have been made. Go to www.catt.se/v8preview for a more thorough description with graphic examples.

Weatherhead Schools BASWA®phon installation begins
The Case Western Reserve's Weatherhead School of Management represents another architectural landmark by Frank O. Gehry & Associates (FOGA), well known for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain and other noted buildings. The Peter B. Lewis building, named for the chairman of Progressive Insurance, the nation's fifth largest auto insurer and the major financial contributor, is located in University Circle, home to Cleveland's famous world famous museums and the Cleveland Orchestra. (View video)

In Figure 1 and 2 one can see the intricate interior, compound-curve, galvanized steel, stud wall systems developed by GQ Contracting, Wickliffe, Ohio, a certified BASWA®phon installer. This custom metal stud substructure will be covered with two layers of 5/8" drywall to provide sound isolation in the classrooms. Then the taped drywall surfaces will be treated with BASWA®phon. The first step, which involves gluing on the precoated BASWA®phon panels begins the first week of January.

The compound steel wall studs have been covered in two layers of daywall and we now begin the application of BASWA®phon precoated panels and base coat. In Figure 3, we see the BASWA®phon base and top coats applied directly to a very complicated ceiling with many openings for lighting, HVAC and mechanical supports. Figure 4 illustrates the application of pre-coated panels to a wall area. In Figure 5 the base coat is applied to the pre-coated panels. Figure 6 illustrates the transition from base coat to pre-coated panels also showing the compound curve wall ceiling intersection. In Figure 7 we see a structural expansion joint detail.

Stay tuned for more information as this project progresses.

Reverberation time, diffuse reflection, Sabine, and computerized prediction - part I and II
RPG offers a tutorial to explain the effect of diffusion reflections on reverberation. RPG is frequently asked what the effect diffuse reflections have on reverberation time. Since acousticians are used to using Sabine, Eyring, Fitzroy and Arau-Puchades to calculate reverberation time using absorption coefficients, it is natural to ask if there is an equation that can incorporate diffusion. The short answer is that all of the above mentioned equations already assume a totally diffuse sound field, so the real question is "How does one calculate reverberation time correctly when the sound field is not diffuse or mixing?" One answer to this lies in the use of computer prediction programs, which properly take into account diffusion. One of the initial findings of round robin experiments comparing experimental measurements with computer predictions was the absolute need to include diffuse reflections. Today, diffuse reflections are attempting to be modeled in commercial programs. CATT Acoustics has been on the forefront in diffusion modeling and so we have asked the creator of CATT Acoustics, Bengt-Inge Dalenback, to write a tutorial that we will run in two parts on our website. RPG has been doing its part to experimentally measure and theoretically predict the diffusion coefficient and there have been significant advances in the creation of a method to measure the random incidence scattering coefficients, specifically to be used by the computer modeling programs. Therefore, with these data close at hand, I encourage all acousticians to read this tutorial to advance the accuracy of the computer prediction of reverberation time and the other objective parameters.

Read Article

BASWA®phon featured in home theater on This Old House
At some point or another all of us have watched This Old House. The Emmy Award winning This Old House is television's premier home improvement series. The show that unlocked America's passion for home improvement, celebrates its 22nd anniversary season on PBS this year. This Old House's mission is to demystify the home improvement process and to celebrate the fusion of old world craftsmanship and modern technology. Each season features two renovation projects. Project One traditionally consists of eighteen or so episodes and is filmed in Massachusetts. Project Two is taped in a different region of the country to highlight the variety of American architectural styles and renovation issues. Additionally, the second project is generally located in a town with a mild climate where outdoor work can be undertaken in the winter months. We have all enjoyed watching the staff consisting of host Steve Thomas, master carpenter Norm Abram, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva.

Project One this year is The Manchester House, owned by Janet and David McCue.

RPG was brought into this renovation by John Storyk of WSDG, Highland, NY who is responsible for the home theater design in the living room. The room will be used for both viewing movies and live piano recital. Storyk selected BASWA®phon to treat the existing focusing upper ceiling areas. The installation of BASWA®phon is now complete and will be presented in a series of programs listed below. Please consult local stations for airing times.

Please read more in an informative article by John Storyk.

Installation Photos:

NPR This Old House programs featuring BASWA®phon

Program #2113
… while Steve joins acoustical consultant John Storyk as he works with David to tackle some of the sound issues in the new music room.

Program #2116
The last of the wallboard has arrived, including 1/4" bendable board for the music room's curved ceiling.

Program #2117
… In the music room, the dramatic coved ceiling is getting the first part of its acoustical plaster system: fiberglass panels coated with plasterlike coating that's invisible to sound, allowing the panels to absorb unwanted echoes while maintaining a traditional look. Acoustician Peter D'Antonio explains the multi-coat system to Steve.

Program #2119
Roger Cook and crew enclose the new spa in veneer stone, while inside homeowner Janet McCue has roped two friends into helping her complete the stripping and reglazing of the half-round bump-out windows, no small job. The music room receives its final, finish coat of acoustical plaster, and our master carpenter checks out a new four-oscillating-head sander that flooring contractor Pat Hunt is using. Richard visits Kohler, Wisconsin, to see how one company has used computer-aided engineering to design a toilet "engine" that meets the challenge of using only 1.6 gallons per flush. Back at the house, Tom shows Steve a flexible molding that bends around the radius of the kitchen bay and matches perfectly with the wooden moldings on the straight runs. Finally, our master carpenter takes measurements for the music room inglenook, making a set of layout sticks he can use in the workshop to accurately reflect conditions in the field.

The wrapup show has now been released and contains an evaluation of the design and installation by John Storyk and the owner. Stay tuned for the magazine article in This Old House Magazine.

Program #2125
A last arrival by boat reveals to Steve and our master carpenter how far we've come from the plain shingled box we found on Day 1 of this project, and Steve declares he'll be satisfied if, as other boaters float into Manchester harbor over the years, they'll look at the McCues' home and say what a nice old building it is (even though most of what they'll see is new). Inside, painter Jim Clark shows our master carpenter how he's using tung oil to give the music room's mahogany paneling its final, rich look. David McCue gives his new kitchen a test drive with the help of demonstration cook and appliance expert Jane Scammon; together they make Steve lunch and show off the kitchen's many cutting-edge appliances. Our master carpenter helps Tom install an interior mortise set, in tarnish proof brass, into one of the house's many new MDF doors, while Steve checks out part of the new audio system with designer/installer Bob Domus. Rich Trethewey gives Steve a tour of the new master bath, carpet expert Jerry Arcari shows how the front stair runner is going in, and acoustician John Storyk and David McCue hear how John's design for the music room's acoustics panned out.

Cleveland Instutute of Music renovates chamber music rehearsal room with BASWA®phon
BASWA®phon used to provide optimal critical evaluation and performance acoustics at CIM.

As part of its continuing research in performance acoustics at CIM, Dr. Peter D'Antonio collaborated with Tom Knab and Peter Salaff to renovate a chamber music rehearsal room at CIM.

Thomas J. Knab Head, Audio Recording. Director of Distance Learning. B.M., Composition, The Cleveland Institute of Music; M.M., summa cum laude, Composition, Southern Methodist University. Assistant recording engineer and music editor, Telarc International Corporation. Faculty, Chief Recording and Sound Engineer for the Aspen Musical Festival, 1987-88. Member, Audio Engineering Society, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Formerly audio engineer, director of electronic music studio, and faculty member of the theory department, Southern Methodist University. Appointed to CIM faculty, 1984.

Peter Salaff Director, String Chamber Music. Founding member, the Cleveland Quartet. As a Quartet member, received a Grammy Award, 7 Grammy nominations and "Best of the Year" awards from Time and Stereo Review for recordings of more than 50 chamber works on major labels. Has performed numerous concerts with the Quartet, including tours of Europe, Japan, the Soviet Union, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Israel, the United States and Canada. Former faculty member at the University of Concepcion, Chile; CIM; State University of New York at Buffalo; the Eastman School of Music. Summer faculty at Interlochen, Chamber Music in the Mountains at Echo Glen; Aspen, Norfolk, Kneisel Hall, Killington Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, and Schleswig Holstein Music Festivals. Received Yale School of Music Alumni Association's Certificate of Merit. Has performed as concerto soloist with orchestras and in recital in the U.S. and South America. Ensembles he has coached have won international prizes including 8 Naumburg Awards, Banff International String Quartet Competition Awards, Coleman Chamber Ensemble Awards, Fischoff National Chamber Music Awards, among others. Reappointed to CIM faculty, 1995.

The acoustics of the space have been tailored using BASWA®phon. The objective of the acoustical renovation was to create a rehearsal space in which Peter Salaff could critically audition every nuance of the performance and in which the students could adequately hear themselves and each other.

The acoustical renovation consisted of a three step process. First precoated mineral wool panels were glued to the existing plaster and seams filled. When dry seam fill is sanded and BASWAphon 407 base coat is applied. After 48 hours the base coat is sanded and BASWA®phon Top is troweled smooth. The resulting surface has a smooth plastered finish, yet the treatment provides significant sound absorption. In Figure 1 the completed installation is shown. The BASWA®phon treatment converted a room that was marginally useful for rehearsal and critical evaluation, due to strong reflections and excess reverberation, into an optimal rehearsal space.

Thanks to GQ Contracting, Wickliff, OH for the wonderful installation, Prof. Salaff and his students for their participation in the project and Tom Knab, Head of Audio Recording for coordinating the project.

Dr. D'Antonio publishes continuing series on new architectural acoustical tools in Archi-Tech magazine.
Welcome to ARCHI-TECH. Subtitled, "Bridging the Gap Between Design & Technology." This magazine has been created specifically for architects, systems designers and integrators for commercial and residential buildings. The purpose is to provide critical information surrounding the all-important business of integrating technology into building design and architecture. With an emphasis on commercial and residential buildings, the editorial purpose is to inform, educate and help establish a comfort level among architects with systems integration. Each issue provides cutting-edge feature stories, state-of-the-art product and industry information, news, trends, advice and success stories in the areas surrounding commercial and residential building design and technology.

The March/April Issue of ArchiTech introduces the architectural community to four new acoustical surfaces - BASWA®phon acoustical plaster, Topakustik/Topperfo absorptive wood system, Clearsorber™ absorptive glass and OptiCurve™ surfaces, using RPG's proprietary Shape Optimizer software.

Current Projects

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First Church of Christ
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Florin Popescu
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Hessel Union Church
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Hometronics
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Howden Residence
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Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
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Jenson Home Theater
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Jim Pavett
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John Evans
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Johns Hopkins University
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Kranzke Entertainment
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Mark McMechen
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McGraw School
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Miami Dade Community College
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Osamu Nakajima
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Oxygen LLC
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Robert Sledge
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Singapore Poly
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SMU Engineering
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Stafford Residence
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