PROJECT HISTORY
CLASSROOM RENOVATION
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
CAMDEN NEW JERSEY

Architects: Kitchen & Associates

For a number of years professors and students complained of acoustical problems within the large classrooms at the Rutgers Law School. Ostergaard Acoustical Associates was retained by Rutgers to evaluate the problem and present recommendations for remedial measures.



The results indicated that:
Speech intelligibility in large classrooms was blurred because finishes did not control reverberation
Sound reflections did not aid with speech intelligibility
Air handler noise masked speech intelligibility.
Because interaction with and between students is an important part of law education the remedial solution of adding sound systems to the classrooms was not acceptable. OAA provided preliminary recommendations to control reverberation, provide sound re-enforcing reflections and goals were set for mechanical noise levels in the classrooms.



In 1987 the architectural firm of Kitchen & Associates was retained by Rutgers for a renovation of the law school to remediate the acoustical problems and update the facilities. OAA collaborated with Kitchen & Associates in the design of new usually stunning ceiling systems that provided useful voice reflections within the classrooms.

Analysis of other finishes within the rooms determined the extent, performance requirement, and placement of special acoustical finishes within the classroom that controlled reverberation, echo, and focusing effects off the extensive rear wall areas in the major classrooms. OAA provided guidance relating to the acoustical aspects of the mechanical system design and analyzed the preliminary mechanical designs to determine those additional measures necessary to assure adequate quiet within the classrooms.