The new open Commons, with its small group focus rooms, required thoughtful absorptive treatments to control sound buildup while allowing the large room to feel exciting and welcoming. The renovation included a suite of production studios and a classroom for the school’s Radio/AV curriculum and local on-air broadcast station. Downers North is one of the few high schools in the state to offer on-air Radio Frequency broadcasting as part of their curriculum. This area of program required careful attention to sound isolation to allow simultaneous use of the production studios and to avoid interference from the classroom above or the adjacent building services area. A green screen production area in the larger radio classroom supports video filming. Acoustic design also included the treatment of mechanical systems to control noise and vibration, shaping and finishes to support a critical listening and media production environment within the Radio suite, and a speech-friendly environment for classrooms and group study rooms. Kirkegaard performed environmental site noise surveys before, during and after construction to evaluate the potential impact of new mechanical equipment and of a relocated truck loading dock that was installed as part of the renovation.
