Thorburn Associates

Learn more about how we assisted with the acoustical and audio system design for the restoration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Memphis, Tennessee. https://lnkd.in/gMTn_Ur3 #AcousticalDesign #Acoustics #ProjectHighlight

Noise Criteria (NC) vs. Room Criteria (RC) Quite often we are asked why does Thorburn Associates Inc. use Noise Criteria (NC) as opposed to Room Criteria (RC) during our mechanical system noise calculations. Both NC and RC are measures of mechanical system noise in a room. Noise Criteria curves were defined in 1957, by Leo Beranek of the Boston based Acoustical Consulting firm of BBN. Room Criteria curves were first proposed by Warren Blazier for the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in 1981. Both sets of Criteria plot the noise level measured in a room against a set of curves across the different standard octave bands that are used in our acoustical work. For Noise Criteria we plot the octave band sound pressure levels in 8 bands and then select the highest curve that is crossed to come up with a single number to report. The Noise Criteria curve very closely resembles equal loudness curves that correspond to our sensitivity to higher frequency tones and our lack of sensitivity to lower frequency tones. For Room Criteria we plot the sound pressure levels in the same 8 bands, and we also look at the curve, but now we must add a subjective decision to the curve to report the level. The RC curve is a straight line with a slope of 5 decibels per octave (in English, it does not correspond to how we hear). So the short answer to the original question is – we use NC whenever we can because it does not require a “subjective” decision and it corresponds more closely to how a person hears. #AcousticalConsulting #AcousticSolutions

🦕🔬 Thrilled to share the opening of the Dueling Dinos exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences! We optimized the lab's acoustics, controlling reverberation and exterior noise for an optimal research environment where visitors watch live paleontological research. Proud to contribute to this transformative project! Visit the exhibit and embark on a journey through time! Learn more about the exhibit at https://lnkd.in/egxGxzj.

Wake Technical Community College celebrated the opening of their newest campus, Wake Tech East, in grand style & Thorburn Associates’ Lauren von Blohn and Karen Ballard were there to join in the festivities! TA was thrilled to be a part of the design process for both the Public Safety Simulation Complex and the Education & Innovation Center buildings, partnering with Boomerang Design and BSA LifeStructures, respectively, for Acoustical Design. Philip Zumbrun, PE, Associate Principal, Acoustical Consultant at TA oversaw the project through completion.

When working with a lighting designer to plan a lighting strategy for your building, one’s top priority is to focus on installing lighting fixtures that help people without sacrificing the design intent. https://lnkd.in/dvj8MQTe

Project Highlight: Asian Art Museum San Francisco, California Our work for this 140,000 square foot historical building encompasses the acoustic design (room acoustics, sound isolation, and HVAC noise control), developing audiovisual systems for the Gallery, Educational/Classroom and Conference Rooms, and audio/paging system designs for the guest and retail areas. Built in 1917 and due to its historical designation, acoustical recommendations were coordinated so as not to disturb existing finishes. #AcousticDesign #Sound #Historical #ProjectHighlight #WorldArtDay

As a sponsor of AIA Triangle, we were honored to be a part of the AIA Triangle Design Awards with Derek Lawson, CTS-D & Lee Loudermilk CTS-D (AV Consultants), Lauren von Blohn (Acoustical Consultant) and Karen Ballard (Marketing Coordinator) all attending. Congratulations to all the award winners! We value our partnerships with all of our clients in the Triangle. 

Project Highlight: Azusa Pacific Felix Events Center Azusa, California The Richard and Vivian Felix Event Center is an elegantly designed, modern arena on the west campus of Azusa Pacific University. This arena provides a functional and accommodating venue for a full array of public events including musical performances, banquets, lectures, conferences, sporting events, exhibitions, and more. The two level Felix Event Center features state-of-the-art design in lighting and sound equipment. We provided the acoustical and audiovisual systems design for this facility.

Congratulations, Derek Lawson, for earning the Audiovisual Network Professional® Certification from AVIXA!

Who says we don't know how to pick dates? 😉 This April 1st marks our company's anniversary, and we're celebrating every twist and turn that got us here!