Pelonis added, "T.J. Baden requested the creation of a performance venue that would have studio accuracy. The purpose of the facility is to put on live and recorded performances spotlighting Taylor product and the Taylor artist roster. In addition, the space would be used as a lab for the development of active electronics for the Taylor line."

"We make 82 guitar models -- 82 definitions of tone and playability," Baden explains. "Historically, in a performance environment, once you plug in, the electronics system becomes the dominant voice of the instrument on stage. This room will help us refine our tone in an electric format and bring those distinctive tonal colors through." As Taylor delved into the project, its parameters expanded, Baden says. Just getting a top-shelf sound reinforcement system wouldn't be enough; the room needed to be acoustically transformed, given its original sound deficiencies. Located in the same building as Taylor's Sales offices, the 4000-square-foot room had been geared for office occupancy, with ten-foot dropped ceilings -- and about five seconds of reverb.

"It was obnoxious," Baden notes. "It would just slap off the walls. It was so bad we almost couldn't talk in there." The ceiling was gutted, revealing a 30-foot ceiling typical of our factory facilities. Pelonis then used software to analyze the structure of the room and custom-design a new acoustic configuration. A 15-foot ceiling height was chosen and the finish ceiling was hung as a grid of four-foot-square panels comprising different materials. To deaden the other 15 feet above it, the area was treated with eight-foot bats of insulation strewn across the beams and stagger-stepped every four feet. Pelonis indicated that "the absorptive 15' cavity above the finish ceiling was used to create a system for drastic pressure relief of the low frequency. It worked.

Additionally, the combination of DigiWave, and BAD panels were strategically placed in the T-bar drop ceiling along with some strait absorption. The idea was for the audience and the performer to hear space and imaging with very little interference. Sparkle and openness surrounding the listener without sacrifice to detail. It worked. Wooden guitar cases and theater curtains were also placed strategically to put the final touches aesthetically and acoustically. It worked."

Taylor opted for an EQ setting called "forest", which Pelonis uses as a metaphor suggesting that in a forest, the trees lightly reflect the sound to generate a slight ambiance, but the reflection doesn't return. Pelonis added "In a forest, you don't hear boundaries. Sound is much freer than in an enclosed space. This is as a result of the low frequency not loading as it does in an enclosure. Trees, rocks, hills, etc., create support for the sound in an unobtrusive fashion combining absorption, diffusion and reflection. To recreate this inside an enclosed space takes extreme attention to controlling the low frequency combined with careful application of a wide variety of surfaces. I enlisted the help of Peter D'Antonio of RPG to assist with the project. I had the idea of creating an optimized curved surface that would also provide low frequency absorption for the rear wall. Peter received the dimensions and created a curved surface within the strict confines of the space available. We collaborated on a variety of surfaces for the curve that would achieve the dual purpose of diffusion and low frequency absorption. The diffusive BAD panel surface complemented the low frequency treatment behind it. It worked."

The back wall is an RPG DigiWave, employing a surface that curves back and forth like a rolling wave to function as a "diffsorber" -- it both diffuses and absorbs sound.

Suspended from the ceiling above the stage are digitally designed RPG Skyline diffusers, which resemble an architect's development model of a city skyline, inverted so that the cluster of blocks, arranged in various dimensions, disperse the sound and give it a "sparkly" tone on stage, rather than reflecting it, which helps performers hear themselves better.

Baden indicated "We treated this room as having two mixes: one for the audience, one for the stage, as listeners and performers each have distinctive acoustic needs." Panels were mounted along one side wall to absorb sound; heavy theater curtains on a sliding track hang in front of the opposite wall to the cover the glass door and windows, which, if exposed, would reflect sound.

In addition to serving as an acoustic/electric sound lab, Taylor's performance room will be used for dealer training seminars, and function as a venue for special events, from the company's "Taylor Night" (an open-mic night for employees, families, and friends) to post-NAMM-show clinician showcases, to VIP concerts and dealer seminars.

The desired sound in the room, says Baden, is a performance venue with a maximized listening sweet spot, devoid of sonic idiosyncrasies, to accurately convey the nuances of our guitar tone. Pelonis added "The result of the collaboration is a masterpiece. The artists who have played there are extremely inspired to hear the true sound of their performance and the Taylor people are proving that their product is without compromise."

SIAP announced two more installations
Millennium Forum, Londonderry, Northern Ireland and Efteling Theme Park, The Netherlands

Millennium Forum, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
This new multipurpose theatre has 3 seating formats, which are created by closing off 1 ore 2 balcony levels through ceiling reflectors that can be lowered: 1,000 / 650 / 350 seats. Each of these formats has its own set of dedicated SIAP acoustic settings. Furthermore the SIAP system is used as a very successful Dolby Digital Surround Sound system for film. The acoustic settings of this system comprise the usual range from speech (only early reflections, no reverberation enhancement) through opera, recital, symphonic, and choral settings (from RT = 1.0 to 2.0 seconds).

Efteling entertainment and theme park, The Netherlands.
This park with a large number of attractions opened 50 years ago and was originally only presenting fairy tales. It is now one of Western Europe's major entertainment parks. Last month a newly built theatre was opened which seats 1200 people and stages a fairy tale show during the summer season (4-5 times a day, 1000 a season), plus a variety of other theatre performances the remainder of the year (as Prinssen and Bus Consulting Engineers we were the acoustic and theatre consultant for this prestigious project). To give this venue a true multipurpose character a SIAP system is installed to provide it with a full variable acoustic. The system is also designed as a surround sound system for theatre effects and film sound (Dolby D-SR).

Weatherhead Schools BASWA®phon installation nears completion
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.

The BASWAphon installation is nearing completion and the results are very impressive both visually and aurally. This is truly a project that we are proud to be a part of. Some additional installation photos follow:

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.

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 View Movie
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.

Archi-Tech will soon begin a serialized tutorial on Auralization. Please stay tuned.

Current Projects

West Islip High School
Long Island, NY

Cass Junior High School
Darrien, IL

Philadelphia Cricket Club
Philadelphia, PA

West Construction
West Palm Beach, FL

Arts Center For Newaygo County
Freemont, MI

The Hit Factory
New York, NY

William G. Willerman Center
Fort Wyane, IN

Blue Jay Studios
Carlsile, MA

Isom Elementary
Carmel, IN

Maximedia
Farmers Branch, TX

Yonkers Public Library
Yonkers, NY

Paramount Pictures Group
Hollywood, CA

University of Miami
Miami, FL

St. Martin of Tours
Vicksburg, MI

Covenant Life Church
Upper Marlboro, MD

Stensrud Residence
San Francisco, CA

Fabricraft
Denver, CO

Pruskowski
Seattle, WA

Richland Group
Chicago, IL

Audition Systems - Shaung Residence
Salt Lake City, UT

Jim Walters Company
Honolulu, HI

Acoustic Spaces - Mr. Mike Serrino
Austin, TX

Integrated Media Systems, MI

Silent Source - Mr. Eric Braun

Silent Source - Wayne County District School

Silent Source - Mr. Gary Loikith
New York, NY

Chalice Recording Studios
Los Angeles, CA

Silent Source - Mr. Gordon Loudenback

Acoustic Spaces - Mr. ClayAllen, LA

Sweetwater Oxygen LLC

Silent Source - Michael Mah

Galon Carol Audio - Brackenridge High School
San Antonio, TX

SONY Canada
Toronto, CA

Silent Source - Roland Corporation
Los Angeles, CA

Life For Life Recordings
Duluth, MN

Silent Source - Alejandro Cedeno

Crouse-Kimsey - Trinity Fellowship Church
Amarillo, TX

Silent Source - Michael Smith