A new architectural website highlighting how acoustic materials dampen noise in restaurants – diners’ number one complaint – has been launched by Knauf, manufacturer of acoustics and other lightweight construction materials.
The Sound of Architecture website (www.soundofarchitecture.com) takes users inside a busy virtual restaurant, creating an interactive sound experience. By clicking on ceiling or wall panels in the featured restaurant, users can hear for themselves the difference acoustic treatments like wall or ceiling panels make in noisy spaces.
Darren Tardio, senior acoustic consultant at Renzo Tonin and Associates oversaw the sound design of the website. Using Knauf products, including the plasterboard ceiling tile, Plaza, and the acoustic wall panel, Stratopanel, the site demonstrates the significant impact good acoustic treatments can have on restaurant spaces.
The Sound of Architecture website also includes blogs with interesting sound related insights and opinions from sound engineers, acoustic consultants, designers, architects, restaurant owners and hearing experts about what’s important when designing with sound in mind. It includes: what’s a safe level of noise for wait staff to work in; how loud background noise sucks the sweetness out of your dessert; and advice on best acoustic design practice from a range of industry professionals.
To mark the Sound of Architecture’s launch, Knauf has announced the first round winners (www.soundofarchitecture.com/dine-hear) of its second annual “Dine Hear” competition, which asked architects, designers and students to describe the sound of their favourite restaurant in the most creative way possible. Five winners were each awarded a pair of Parrot Zik headphones. A further 50 entrants were selected to advance to the next round of the competition, which requires them to create a sketch of their favourite restaurant including the Knauf range of acoustic products, for the competition’s top prize of $5,000.
The winner will be announced on 5th Sept 2014.
