Cradle of Aviation Museum and Grumman Omnimax Theater, Mitchell Field, Garden City, NY · An open, multi-story building adjacent to two existing World War I hangars containing exhibition spaces. The new building contains a domed, state-of-the-art OMNIMAX™ motion picture theater. In the OMNIMAX theater, extraordinary sound control is essential for the audience to appreciate and enjoy the wide dynamic range of the theater's digital sound track. OAA analyzed acoustical features of the proposed air conditioning system to identify noise and vibration control measures needed to ensure quiet.

Equally important is that overhead aircraft and nearby street traffic noise not be heard in the theater, especially during the quietest parts of the OMNIMAX program. OAA measured on-site sound levels for 24 hours to quantify the theater's noise exposure. Wall and roof constructions were identified to provide the optimum degree of isolation.

OAA was selected for the project because of the firm's familiarity with OMNIMAX theater technology and experience in solving problems in sound isolation and mechanical noise.

Live Theater – South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange, New Jersey
“The acoustics are terrific!” — Yo-Yo Ma “. . .fine acoustics. . .” — The Star Ledger

SOPAC was an acoustically challenging project. In addition to being located adjacent to an elevated New Jersey Transit Railroad Station, the program called for a large multi-purpose room above the 415-seat live theater and the budget was limited. Ostergaard Acoustical Associates provided acoustical consultation to achieve a first rate performance space that meets the needs of the community and Seton Hall University. Our consultation concerned intruding train noise and vibration, room acoustics, sound isolating constructions, and HVAC noise and vibration control.

• Train Noise and Vibration: Initially we evaluated the potential of audible noise from train vibration passed through the ground. Pre-construction vibration measurements provided the raw data. Our analyses indicated that soil conditions reduced the vibration sufficiently so that radiated noise into the theater would be acceptable. Train noise would seldom be audible, and only at very low levels.
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  Live Theater Room Acoustics:The sound of both speech and music performances needs to be clearly and correctly heard by the entire audience. Working with the architects, Rothzeid Kaiserman Thomson & Bee, side wall and ceiling clouds were selected and oriented to provide reflections for natural sound reinforcement, diffusion to eliminate harshness, and surfaces that control flutter echo. In addition, other finishes were selected to control echo and temper reverberation.
• Sound Isolating Constructions: In addition to train noise and vibration, it is critical the noise from the exterior and interior of the Center not intrude on performances in the live theater. The most serious issue was the multi-purpose room directly above the theater. Simultaneous use is required, meaning that a bar mitzvah in the multi-purpose room could not interfere with a concert or play in the live theater. Ostergaard Acoustical Associates specified a special floated concrete slab for the multi-purpose room to control the primary path of sound and footfall noise into the theater. In addition special wall constructions and sound isolating doors were recommended to control the penetration of train and street noise, as well as plumbing and other noise sources within the Center.
• HVAC Noise and Vibration Control: Ostergaard Acoustical Associates collaborated with DVL Engineers to achieve appropriate background sound levels in the live theater. The first step was to establish noise criteria that balanced the conflicting needs for audibility of performances, inaudibility of train passes, and budget constraints. Preliminary noise control recommendations were provided to assist DVL in developing the mechanical design. The initial design was analyzed to determine to what degree the noise criteria would be met and the noise control features were refined. Following construction, field sound measurements were made and, where necessary, systems were adjusted to meet HVAC sound goals.

Cultural Life Center, Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, New York · The Cultural Life Center includes the 950-seat Hale Auditorium and the Shewan Recital Hall. These were designed with optimal acoustics in mind to meet the College's unique needs.

• Auditorium Serves Diverse Needs: The college's 950-seat Hale Auditorium features adjustable components designed to provide the best acoustics for Roberts' well-known music program, as well as for theatrical programs and events for the spoken word. Ostergaard Acoustical Associates designed the following acoustical features:
• Classic shoebox shape, selected for the same excellent acoustics exhibited by many of the world's great concert halls such as Boston's Symphony Hall.
• A custom concert enclosure that retracts to expose a theatrical stagehouse.
• An adjustable canopy forward of the stage with shutters that can open and close.
• Side wall panels designed to provide lateral reflections that increase the width of the sound image.
• A loudspeaker cluster that directs sound into the audience areas for clear voice reinforcement.
• Adjustable rear wall sound absorption for variable reverberation control.

• A Recital Hall that Mirrors the Auditorium: The Robert Shewan recital hall is designed to parallel the auditorium to provide excellent natural acoustics for both choral and instrumental classes, rehearsals, and intimate musical performances.  The large 106,000 cubic feet volume facilitates balanced sound, without  excessive loudness, as well as appropriate reverberation.  An overhead canopy provides early sound reflections to allow sections of the performing group to better hear each other.  Two exterior walls pitch inward to eliminate flutter echo and reflect sound into the performance/audience areas.
• HVAC Noise Control: Acoustical aspects of the air handling systems for both halls are engineered by Ostergaard Acoustical Associates to provide low mechanical noise levels to not mask program sound. The auditorium is designed for RC-20 and the recital hall, RC-25. To achieve these goals, each element of the air handling system was acoustically modeled to identify required noise control features.

John Harms Center for the Arts, Englewood, New Jersey · The Harms Center occupies a 1926 vaudeville house in downtown Englewood. The $6.6 million renovation included a general refurbishment of finishes in the spirit of 1926, a balcony extension, and the addition of an air conditioning system. The balcony was extended toward the stage to increase capacity by 300 seats, to a total of 1500. Ostergaard Acoustical Associates analyzed the proposed changes and recommended finishes to promote natural acoustics, while controlling reverberation and echo.

The new air conditioning system allows the center to operate year-round for the first time. OAA established criteria for the system noise levels, provided initial noise control guidelines to the system designers, and analyzed the proposed system to identify noise control measures needed to meet sound level objectives. Methods to control the penetration of street noise were identified.

Additional Auditorium Projects