Francis A. and Joan A. Gicca Atrium
Northeastern University ~ Boston, MA

Project Overview

Interior (from 2nd floor)	Interior (at stair to 2nd floor)
Detail (showing metal reveals, door edge & signage)	Exterior (looking through glass atrium at Topakustik wall)

Northeastern University, located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, is a world leader in practice-oriented education and recognized for its expert faculty and first-rate academic and research facilities. The university has been undergoing a physical transformation with a series of new buildings and renovations. Completed in mid 2004 is the Francis A and Joan A. Gicca Atrium with a long, narrow, double-story circulation and study space flanked on one side with an exterior glass wall and on the other with RPG’s grooved, acoustic, wood system Topakustik. The adjacent exterior courtyard is visually accented by the warmth and glow of the Maple Topakustik showing through the glass. The entire space is made even more impressive by the wonderful detailing at reveals, doors, air diffusers and signage.

Home: News: DiffuseNews 
Q1 - 2005

RPG Announces its new Architectural Binder
RPG is proud to announce its new Architectural binder containing Project Profiles, Cutsheets for its 1D, 2D Diffusors and Absorbers, as well as information on all of its Design Tools. Contact your local rep for a free copy.

Project Profiles: Review projects and testimonials showing how architects and acoustic consultants have used RPG products in schools, worship spaces, studios, libraries, museums and performing arts centers in your neighborhood.

Design Tools: Learn about the latest architectural acoustic design tools, including computer modeling and auralization, shape optimization and variable acoustic electronic architecture. Learn the basic concepts of applying acoustic treatment to specific room types.

ISO Scattering and Diffusion Coefficient Measurement Methodology Standardized
Measurement and characterization procedures for scattering surfaces now standardized.

In the past 30 years, significant progress has been made in designing, optimizing, characterizing and now standardizing scattering surfaces. Acousticians now can specify the scattering and diffusion coefficients, in addition to the random incidence absorption coefficient. This research has led to progress in room acoustics and computer modeling. Two standards have emerged.

1. Scattering Coefficient: A scattering coefficient is a measure of the amount of sound scattered away from a particular direction or distribution. This has the greatest similarity to the coefficients required as inputs to geometric room acoustic models.
ISO 17497-1:2004
Acoustics -- Sound-scattering properties of surfaces -- Part 1: Measurement of the random-incidence scattering coefficient in a reverberation room (available in English only). To order go to ISO Store

2. Diffusion Coefficient: A diffusion coefficient measures the quality of reflections produced by a surface, in the case of the AES coefficient, by measuring the similarity between the scattered polar response and a uniform distribution. It is a measure of diffusor quality.
2.1 "AES information document for room acoustics and sound reinforcement systems- Characterization and measurement of surface scattering uniformity", J. Audio Eng. Soc., Vol. 49, No. 3 (March 2001).
2.2 This information document is in the process of being added as Part 2 to the ISO 17497-1:2004 standard.

RPG Announces SIAP Acoustic System’s Mk IV processor at NSCA in Orlando, FL
RPG and SIAP Acoustic Systems will announce the next generation MK IV processor, which creates electro-acoustic architectural environments. The Systems Integration Expo will be held March 7-12 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL . The modern auditorium is called upon to support a wide range of both acoustic and amplified events. While amplified events are reproduced with a traditional sound system, acoustic events, like drama, speech and acoustic music require enhancement of the environment, not reinforcement. Since the architectural acoustic design of the auditorium can only really serve one purpose, a new approach and solution has been developed to provide real electro-acoustic architecture, which can change the acoustical environment at the push of a button. This approach utilizes microphones, powerful digital signal processors, amplifiers and loudspeakers. The SIAP MK IV processor monitors the direct sound field on stage and uses it to create early reflections, frequency dependent reverberation, area independent level control, using a large number of uncorrelated FIR signals, with no time variance or feedback, as with older generation approaches. The MK IV processor can create the same or different acoustical environments in different rooms, like a lecture hall and rehearsal rooms, or multiple acoustic environments in one room, such as a worship space, where the processor creates a different environment for the platform, the congregation, the under balcony areas, the organ, piano and the choir. The processor can now be thought of as an acoustic server. The processor, however, is only a tool to generate the experience.
Everyone Should Hear It!

RPG will also be showcasing the latest in research and design technology for acoustical treatment of large spaces such as churches, auditoriums, theaters, civic centers, concert halls, and any other facility where the quality of the acoustical environment is required to enhance the listening and performing experience. RPG now produces a full range of modular and custom shaped sound absorbers, sound diffusors, and reflective/diffusive ceiling clouds specially designed for application in large spaces.

RPG provides Bi-Weekly Acoustical Continuing Education Series Diffuse Bulletins
Diffuse Bulletins provide acousticians with continuing education series. dBv1i9 and dBv1i10 now posted. Read More

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.

	New Additions Watch this section for new additions to the website.

Recent Completed Projects Q4-2004
Included is a partial list of architectural, home theater and project studio completed projects.