Fitness centres present architects and designers with unique challenges: large, open areas with few walls, tall ceilings, and often exposed ductwork—none of which is conducive to sound absorption. Like esthetics, lighting, and air quality, sound is an integral component of the club experience. If managed well, it complements and enhances the environment.
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To create effective barriers to noise and vibration in buildings, it is essential to clearly define design objectives, carefully select construction materials, choose appropriate finishes, and diligently design the interior space with proper layouts of adjacent areas.
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As we move toward taller timber buildings, fire and acoustics considerations for dwelling units above dwelling units is increasingly important. This article shares the results of National Research Council of Canada testing of various sound control assemblies to comply with new National Building Code of Canada (NBC) requirements. The results are beneficial for architects and specifiers working on wood-framed, multifamily structures.
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Unhappy with the acoustics in his winery’s “viewing room,” the owner of Sandhill Winery in Kelowna, B.C., went in search of a solution. In the fall of 2017, the space the winery uses for private tastings was transformed by using innovative panels that serve not only as acoustic attenuators, but also as artwork.
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For decades, Canadian urban development has been dominated by high-rise condo buildings, large apartment complexes, and single-family dwellings—without much in between.
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Continuous urban population growth in recent years has created one common problem in cities throughout Canada—noise complaints. In fact, a survey conducted last year by the City of Toronto revealed that 82 per cent of people were unhappy with the current noise levels of their neighbourhoods.
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A building is an assembly of various materials intertwined to construct something solid and enduring. However, even small adjustments in a building’s plan can lead to unforeseen problems, especially to acoustics and noise control performance. Acoustics and ambient noise are common complaints, but relatively small changes can have big acoustical implications.
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