Statement Making + Sound Managing

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Leading and Empowering

Acoustics is the branch of physics that focuses on studying sound: how it is produced, transmitted, controlled, and received. Architects are increasingly interested in acoustics, and, more specifically, designing spaces to offer good acoustics, because more is being learned about the detrimental effects of noise in the built environment. For example, the World Health Organization notes that noise is an underestimated threat to health problems, such as sleep disturbance, cardiovascular problems, decreased professional and academic productivity, and hearing loss, to name a few.

The secret to creating good acoustics is the consideration of how the surfaces in a space manage sound. Whether it’s the wall, the ceiling, or the floor, every surface interacts with a sound wave in the room by reflecting it, absorbing it, or transmitting it through to the other side. How well it performs any of those activities is influenced by the material on the surface.

Today, there are more options for controlling sound on a surface than ever before. Fabric, planks, panels—on the ceiling, suspended, or on the wall—each offer architects a way to bring more sound management into a space.

Library Quiet

The Erasmus Medical Center Library, the biggest university medical center in the Netherlands, is located in the center of Rotterdam. For the Medical Library, in the complex’s Education Center, the primary interior materials are wood and white Sonaboard. The structure of the Sonacoustic system consists of the Sonacoustic PL1 system, a combination of a sound-absorbing Sonaboard and Sonaplaster in a one- or twolayer set-up, with a wide variety of structures and thicknesses available, from 0.98-in. to 2.56in., and a finely sprayed top layer to achieve high sound absorption values.

Sonacoustic | www.sonacoustic.com

Meet Qwel

Genesis Products, a major supplier of laminated panels and wood components, has entered the sound control market with Qwel Designer Acoustic Tiles. Research into the viability of the Qwel line of molded and flat tile designs was spurred by an increase in specifications for new construction and renovation projects where sound control was an important marketing appeal. “Our goal in introducing Qwel to architects, designers, and builders is to offer a collection at a reasonable price point that is esthetically attractive and naturally manages sound,” states Erin Curtis, vice president of marketing and development.

The resultant solution is Qwel, is partially made of sustainable PET fibers (polyethylene terephthalate), a type of clear, strong, lightweight and 100% nonwoven recyclable plastic that can be remade into other products, and up to 50% of recycled materials.

Created for interior use, Lightweight Qwel tiles (tested to weigh 55% less than mineral fiber tiles), are designed for installation in standard suspended ceiling grids including new and existing 15/16-in. and 9/16-in. grid systems.

“Qwel tiles reduce noise by a rating of 0.75 NRC [Noise Reduction Coefficient] forthe six styles in the group without chemical aftertreatments,” says Curtis.

Qwel | qweltiles.com

Splashing Below

This acoustic stretch ceiling controls sound above a six-lane, glass-enclosed swimming training and competition facility. The product shown, Alphalia Silent AW Lux, is one of the fabrics manufactured by Serge Ferrari. A lightweight, compact material, it exhibits uniform acoustic behavior ranging from treble to bass sounds in interior environments and can significantly reduce sound reverberation time. The product is available in 12 colors, applicable for installation in moist and chlorine environments.

Serge Ferrari | sergeferrari.com