Two entrepreneurs are standing in an empty hanger wondering where the walls will go in their new office, when in walks a deliveryman.  He hands them a phone.  One of the entrepreneurs asks what it is and the deliveryman states “its your video conference room”. 

If this scenario or something similar plagues you or your clients, a product recently advertised on a local talk show might tempt you.  One of the sponsors claims they have created “soundproof” windows that can block “over 90% of the noise”.  But are they really soundproof?

The problem is that as the background noise gets quieter, the same noise source – at the same level of loudness – is perceived to be louder.  Going back to the barking dog example, during the day when there are lots of other noises, the dog’s barking at your cat blends with the noise from the local automobile traffic, the kids’ stereo, and the TV blaring from the house behind you.  However, as night approaches all of these noise sources diminish or even go away.  The background sound levels drop, and the sound of the dog barking is perceived as being much louder.  So the “percentage” of noise reduction may be okay during the day, but not at night.

Now back to this new wonder product.  Basically what they do is provide a second “window” (i.e. a storm window) mounted a few inches inside of your existing window.  While this provides a reduction in the noise levels, the same results can be achieved without using a “special” product.  We recently designed a retrofit system for an office building in San Francisco.  Due to the historic nature of the building, the windows could not be replaced, but the excessive traffic noise was bothering our client.  A second windowpane installed inside of the window casing provided over 35 dB of field-tested noise reduction.  These results were limited by the building’s background noise, but our client was very happy.

As a point of reference, the following laboratory STC (Sound Transmission Class) ratings are typical for various window constructions.  STC indicates the amount of noise reduction provided by an assembly – higher numbers provide better noise reduction.  Field test results are usually up to 5 points below laboratory test results.

     Typical single pane (1/8-inch to 1/4-inch glass) window: 26-31 STC
     Typical double pane window: 29-35 STC
     Two typical single pane windows separated by a 4-inch airspace: 42-45 STC. 
     Laminating a single pane typically results in an additional 4 to 5 STC points.

A number of companies have developed wall coverings that can be used as both a white board and as a projection surface.  These products are typically applied over primed drywall and can provide wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling coverage, similar to any other wall-covering product.  They combine the features of a projection screen (wide angle viewing, reduced glare, reduced image fall-off) with a dry erase surface.  In the right situation, and when used with solvent-based dry erase markers, these products work well. 

The Center will allow graduate students and senior finance majors hands-on learning in the truest sense of the word as they manage one of the largest student-run portfolios in the nation - currently worth $6 million - from the new facility.

The opening of the Southwest Securities Financial Markets Center marks the beginning of a new era in the finance program at the Baylor business school. The Portfolio Practicum class, which started in 2001, will be elevated to a new level with this state-of-the-art financial center. The center is equipped with leading edge technology replicating the equipment found in the nation's top investment firms and financial institutions.

"We now have one of the top facilities of this kind in the country," said Brian Bruce, the main instructor of the Portfolio Practicum class that manages the fund. Bruce is also director and Head of Equity Investments for PanAgora Asset Management.

"Now the students have access to real time financial data that they wouldn't have otherwise. With access to sophisticated tools, the students can function like any institutional investment manager," Bruce said. "That means these students will be completely ready to step into a portfolio management position upon graduation."

Thorburn Associates’ involvement with the project began in meeting with Dean Maness and other faculty members to define the goals of the project.  We really had a blank slate to work with.  One objective was to create a room that felt like a cross between a financial boardroom and a trading room.  Another goal was to create a grand entrance to the space, which was accomplished by removing a non-load baring CMU wall and extending the entrance into an existing storeroom. 

Once Thorburn Associates developed the basic design of the space, we worked with the campus architect to refine and execute the project.  This was a great example of the AV function driving the form of the room.