Project Description
Overview
The University of Miami, located in Florida, engaged WSDG to address critical acoustic issues in two key educational spaces undergoing aesthetic upgrades. One classroom in the Cox Science Building and another in the Perez Architecture Building were suffering from excessive reverberation and echo problems that compromised the learning environment. With the University planning visual upgrades to the spaces, WSDG was brought in to transform the acoustic comfort and functionality of these teaching environments, ensuring optimal conditions for spoken presentations and educational activities.
Program
WSDG was tasked with providing comprehensive internal acoustics solutions for two distinctly different classroom environments. The project required careful acoustic analysis and tailored solutions that would work within the constraints of each space’s planned renovations. Both spaces featured highly reflective surfaces, including hard walls, writing boards, glass elements, doors, and hard flooring, that provided virtually no acoustic absorption.
Design
WSDG’s design approach began with detailed acoustic measurements, performed on-site in May 2024, to establish baseline conditions in both classrooms. Computer simulations were then conducted using the planned new finishes to predict acoustic performance and guide recommendation development.
Treatments included the strategic use of acoustic felt panels on the upper wall sections and ceiling-suspended elements to improve clarity and reduce reverberation, all designed in colors that were coordinated with the University’s design team to blend seamlessly with the architectural character of the classrooms. The selected materials were specifically chosen for their effectiveness in the human vocal frequency range, making them ideal for teaching environments focused on spoken presentations rather than musical applications.