Acoustical concerns are an important, often vital, factor in many buildings being renovated for adaptive re-use. Issues common to these projects include control of HVAC and mechanical system noise, adequate sound isolation between spaces, and acoustical room treatment for reverberation control, enhancement for music or speech uses, etc. In all restoration projects, acoustical considerations must be integrated in the overall design with respect to historical preservation.

• Boston Athenuem, Boston, MA
  Schwartz Silver Architects, Boston, MA
  Restoration of historic library with addition of air conditioning system.

• Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA
  Notter Finegold Alexander, Boston, MA (1970’s Original Restorations)
  Lamouraux Pangano Associates, Worcester, MA (1980’s and 1990’s Restorations)
  Preservation of acoustical characteristics of a world-class concert hall while upgrading ventilation systems and architectural design.

• Andover Town Hall, Andover, MA
  Ann Beha Associates, Boston, MA
  Included new room finish treatments for the restoration of a second-story auditorium, ventilation system quieting and new sound reinforcement system.

• Austin Hall, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA
  Goody Clancy Associates, Boston, MA (1980’s Restorations and Current Restorations)
  This law school building, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, included sound isolation from new mechanical systems, and acoustical room treatments in two major lecture rooms and new audio-visual systems. Current restorations include further improvements to the teaching spaces and additional courtrooms including upgrading audiovisual systems for digital interface.

• Immaculate Conception Church, Boston, MA
  The Architectural Team, Inc., Chelsea, MA
  Primary consideration was placed on maintaining the acoustical response of the original large church no longer needed for organ and liturgical music. New enclosed administrative and counseling offices at the rear of the nave were added.