Background
Viewport Studio Ltd, a neighbouring Southwark-based architectural and design practice, working with Virgin Galactic at the time, knocked on our door for a cup of tea. After discussing an acoustic conundrum they were faced with, and a quick tour of our SonicRoom™, Anderson Acoustics was brought onto the design team for the world’s first purpose built commercial spaceport, Spaceport America, in New Mexico, designed by Foster + Partners.
The challenge
The layout of the Spaceport building, also known as The Gateway to Space, is open plan, wrapped around a central mission control centre. The open plan area spans two levels, with the public facing lounge and dining area at ground floor opening up to a collaborative working space at mezzanine level.
The challenge was to help realise Foster + Partners’ vision whist ensuring the acoustics were such that sound wouldn’t perpetuate to a degree that would both make the lounge area uncomfortable for the public when busy and impact upon the concentration of employees working at mezzanine level.
What we did
Having established suitable design targets for reverberation and sound distribution in keeping with the Client’s aspirations, we constructed a digital 3D acoustic model of the building. This allowed us to devise a number of strategies for acoustic finishes, whilst mindful of the budgetary, CDM and sustainability implications.
Aware that “dBs” on paper can be quite meaningless to clients and design teams, and where even 3D visualisations have their limitations in terms acoustics, we created a sound simulation in our SonicRoom™ and invited the Client, project managers and lead contractors to come and hear what the various acoustic strategies would sound like.
Through the SonicRoom™ experience, the Client and design team were better equipped to make the all-important decisions on materials and design options in the context of the wider project constraints and opportunities.
The result
The Gateway to Space is now in operation and a great success, providing a harmonious experience for both the visiting public and employees alike.
