Lunch and Learn – Deaf Architects and Blind Acousticians – Acoustics! A Master Class

AIA Triangle Small Firm Roundtable Lunch & Learn 

Sponsored by

Deaf Architects and Blind Acousticians – Acoustics! A Master Class 

September 19 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (Lunch begins at 11:30 am)

Center for Architecture and Design

14 E. Peace Street | Raleigh, NC

1 CE credit pending approval

In our multidimensional world, why does sound take a second or third seat to vision? We can have both equally!  Building on the book “Deaf Architects and Blind Acousticians” by Robert Apfel, this course explores how sound stirs the heart and soothes the soul and the impact of not addressing sound in the design of a space.  To help participants better understand the impact of sound over vision in their everyday lives, we will walk through different scenarios such as sitting in a room with the lights out and listening as your imagination paints a picture in your mind. Then, think about sitting in the same room with the lights on and your best ear plugs in. With your ears, you still experience your surrounding environment, but with just your eyes, you are limited to only what you see in front of you. Another example would be strolling through the woods where you can see what is ahead and, in your peripherals, but having no idea about what or who might be sneaking up behind you. This all ties together the concept that a building can look iconic or even inspirational in photos or on paper, however, the human experience can easily be tarnished or enhanced based on the building’s acoustical environment.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Participants will differentiate and measure background noise to help gain a better understanding of the impact of sound over vision in everyday lives of individuals
2. Participants will assess and calculate reverberation time to determine if negatively impacts individuals
3. Participants will discover the impact of not addressing sound as part of the design of a space and how it impacts how it affects individuals in the environment
4. Participants will discover how to design based on the understanding of the impact sound has over vision in their everyday lives.

PRESENTED BY

Steven J. Thorburn, PE, LEED, AP, CTS-D, CTS-I

Steve Thorburn is the founder of Thorburn Associates and has been involved with over 3,000 different projects.

His is active in projects that require both acoustical engineering and technology system design services. His dual degrees from Michigan Technology University in theatre design and electrical engineering enable him to coordinate technical requirements involved in the construction bid process with practical issues required by the end-users.

His projects have included performing arts centers, recording facilities, entertainment facilities, presentation and conference facilities, government and university buildings, film and video studios, luxury hotels, libraries, churches, and medical facilities.