Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA

Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc.

Our current 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. Due to its historical designation (built in 1917) acoustical recommendations will need to be coordinated so as not to disturb existing finishes. Slated to open in the year 2000, the museum expects over 450,000 visitors per year.

Riverside County Courthouse, Riverside, CA

The Steinberg Group

Acoustical consulting and audiovisual system design during the seismic retrofitting of this historic building. Acoustic concerns included echoes and reverberation caused by hard surfaces and the geometrical design of the main rotunda dome. Developed sound isolation details for the jury rooms and mechanical noise and vibration control criteria for the entire facility. The audiovisual systems in the courtro]oms have speech reinforcement for all stations within the room; ditributed loudspeakers; video and computer projection; an electronic whiteboard; printing of video stills; multiple monitors; and audio/video press feeds.

Children's Hospital Research Institute, Oakland, CA

Dowler-Gruman Architects

During the restoration of this historical building, we provided HVAC noise control recommendations for the air handlers, and audio system designs for the Seminar Room and Historical Library.

Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls, SD

Siouxland Heritage Museums

Designed loudspeaker placement and subtle room finish details to improve acoustics in a 2,400 square foot historic courtroom and law library with seating for over 300 people. The main goal of the renovation was to improve the acoustics without significantly altering the original appearance of the courtroom.

PG&E Headquarters - Auditorium and Conference Rooms A&B, San Francisco, CA

Pacific Gas & Electricity Knutson Project Management

Audiovisual design during the remodel of 2 main rooms located in a 1920's terra cotta highrise. In the Auditorium (with raked seating for 500), a ceiling-mounted projector displays computer graphics and video, supported by a distributed sound system and an ADA hearing assistance system. Control systems include a touch panel on the podium, a wireless audiovisual panel, and remote lighting control. Inputs for satellite feed allow the corporate television division to use this facility as a remote site for corporate activities. The second room, a divisible Conference Center (with multiple seating arrangements for 120), has both front and rear projection systems which utilize a glass presentation wall. A mirror system in the rear projection room compensates for limited space. The sound system has wireless microphones and split audio for more effective control of speech and program signals. Audio inputs were added for panel discussions and roundtable meetings.

Historic Alameda High School, Alameda, CA

MBH Architects

When the Alameda City Hall was temporarily located at this historic school, acoustical details were developed to isolate sound of an elevator in the new mayor's office, as well as to decrease the impact of the elevator's machine room on other nearby offices.

Embarcadero Lofts - 300 Beale St., San Francisco, CA

MBH Architects

Developed sound isolation details and environmental noise control construction methods for a historical building which was converted into loft-style housing with ground floor retail space.

On Lok Larkin Senior Living, San Francisco, CA

MBH Architects

Analysis of environmental and HVAC noise impacting a 30+ unit senior housing building overlooking a busy S.F. intersection. The facility includes dental and hospital services for the residents.

Past Projects

YMCA - 351 Turk St., San Francisco, CA

George Miers & Associates

Measured fan coil noise and recommended room finish treatments to control the reverberation for the lobby area of this historic structure.

Pacific Gas and Electric

RMW Architecture + Design

Housed in a 25,000 square foot building (remodeled from a 1920's house), this facility has been labeled as the "energy conservation tool box" for Architects, Engineers, and Developers. The acoustical, mechanical noise and vibration control, and A/V system design were integrated into the facility design from the beginning of the design phase. A/V systems for the auditorium and lighting classroom had to be simple and straight forward to operate. It was PG&E's intent to allow the design and construction industry to use the facility for educational seminars.

Mills College Library, Oakland, CA

Esherick Homsey Dodge & Davis

Acoustical design for a 29,000 square foot addition and renovation of the existing landmark Carnegie Library. A traffic noise study of the site was also conducted.

Stanford Theater, Palo Alto, CA

David W. Packard

Project supervision and final check of acoustical and audio system designs for the renovation of the 1200 seat historical Stanford Theater. The renovation returned the theater to its original 1920's vaudeville architectural design.

Old County Courthouse, San Jose, CA

The Steinberg Group

Restoration of a three-story building with six courtrooms.

Historic Alameda High School, Alameda, CA

Historic Alameda Foundation

Recommendations for the acoustical design during the renovation of the auditorium.

Hotel Bellevue, San Francisco, CA

ROMA Design Group

Acoustical recommendations for historical hotel remodeling project.

Beresford Corporation

Acoustical recommendations to reduce the transfer of elevator noise to guest rooms within a 100-unit historical hotel.