WSDG is a global firm specializing in Architectural Acoustic Consulting and Media Systems Engineering.
WSDG provides a wide portfolio of design and consulting services that support architectural projects during all phases from site selection to final commissioning testing .Our international team of consultants, designers and engineers has provided timely, detailed and cost-effective guidance on highly complex architectural construction and renovation projects, from small critical retrofits to challenging ground up developments. WSDG has extensive experience with sensitive architectural issues including historical renovations, additions and new construction.
We have collaborated with a wide range of international architectural and engineering teams on assignments which include facilities for music and media production, entertainment, broadcasting, performing arts complexes, corporate multimedia boardrooms and conference centers, government facilities, residential entertainment spaces, houses of worship, industrial acoustical applications, product development, transportation hubs, sports venues, and university campuses. WSDG is recognized for its expertise in computer-modeled reverberation studies, speech intelligibility analysis, environmental assessments, mechanical / electrical noise control, and technical interior analysis and design.
Architectural Acoustic Consulting
the most up-to-date acoustical data-collection and analysis software and complex visualization tools to determine and optimize existing acoustical conditions in time and frequency domains, including RT60 Reverberation Times, Transmission Loss, STI Speech Intelligibility Assessments, SPL Sound Pressure Level distribution, Background Noise Levels and many other parameters. Our engineering team specializes in acquiring critical measurement data in-situ or laboratory-based for documentation. This work applies to both technical design and legal / forensic purposes and presents useful interpretations of measurement results and their consequences. All work complies to the latest international standards, industry benchmarks and professional compliance values.
WSDG uses complex prediction and analysis software to model and study the behavior of sound in a three-dimensional virtual prototyping environment by means of an iterative process and has also pioneered the use of acoustical modeling tools and auralization by using the industry’s most advanced acoustic prediction and modeling software. These software tools facilitate “auralization” – a complex calculated algorithm that allows for input of an original, non-processed audio file (such as a speech announcement or an acoustical instrument recording) and then renders an audible reproduction of the future acoustical situation in the virtual building environment. This allows all stakeholders to listen to music, speech or any audio content in the virtual design reality, thus providing an invaluable tool during design and planning.
Room Acoustics is the science of controlling a room’s internal acoustic characteristics by creating geometry in combination with creative surface materialization using reflection, absorption and/or diffusion. Excessive reverberation time can lead to poor speech intelligibility, high ambient noise levels, poor ability to concentrate and limited comfort, specifically in workplace and privacy / confidentiality applications. Interior acoustical floor, wall, and ceiling surfaces can be created using a wide variety of materials and finishes, including perforated, slotted, fabric covered, foam based, plastic, wood, glass, metal or gypsum materialization. WSDG carefully studies and specifies appropriate materials and applications, always with a keen eye and respect for a project’s underlying architecture.
Structural Acoustics analyzes noise transmission from building exterior envelope to interior and vice versa, as well as noise transmission from one room to another within the building environment. Inadequate acoustical isolation may lead to elevated sound levels within the space which reduces privacy, comfort level and concentration ability; severely limits speech intelligibility and has implications for noise health effects. Primary noise paths often include roofs, ceilings, eaves, walls, windows, doors, room partitions, as well as flanking, ducting and other penetrations. Sufficient noise containment control ensures space functionality and is often required by local municipal codes. WSDG specifications include construction details for wall and slab assemblies and special acoustical isolation conditions (including “room-within-room” construction).
WSDG is a trusted partner for Peer Review, Expert Reports, Studies and Surveys within the context of Architectural Acoustics Consultation. Peer review is the evaluation of work and studies conducted by other parties. This work is often required to maintain standards of quality; assess solutions and designs; provide a second opinion or variations to a concept; create alternate solutions to improve performance and efficiency; provide credibility; and verify costing and time table analysis. WSDG’s studies and surveys are often based on in-situ or laboratory measurements and assessments utilizing a wide range of international benchmarks and standards.
WSDG provides a wide portfolio of design and consulting services that support media facility conceptual planning, master planning, site selection and feasibility studies as well as timely, detailed and cost-effective advice on highly sensitive and complex architectural construction and renovation projects. WSDG has extensive experience with sensitive architectural issues including historical renovations, additions and new construction projects in media production, corporate, government, education, broadcasting and cultural / entertainment sectors.
WSDG brings nearly 50 years of experience in providing design and consulting services that support Broadcast and Recording Studio projects during all phases (master planning, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, bidding – pricing, construction administration and final commissioning / close out). WSDG provides timely, detailed and cost-effective advice on highly sensitive and complex architectural construction and renovation projects, from small but critical retrofits to challenging ground-up construction. WSDG brings extensive experience to sensitive architectural issues including historical renovations, additions and new construction projects in media production, corporate, government, education, broadcasting and cultural / entertainment sectors.
WSDG provides technical interior design and integration services for media production, cultural, entertainment and corporate environments in close collaboration with all stakeholders with the goal of enhancing room design, achieving a healthier, more inspiring, more ergonomical and more aesthetically pleasing environment. WSDG provides conceptual development, space planning, site inspection, programming, research and construction management for technical AV and lighting design, lighting control, acoustical surfaces and sightline considerations. Designs are illustrated by means of 3D visualizations, renderings and VR simulations. WSDG’s engineering team and laboratories are available for acoustical studies, assessments, and measurements as well as for supporting further optimization of acoustical parameters of a given product under development. Feasibility studies and virtual prototyping can be conducted to ascertain the product’s acoustical performance level and market position.
Media Systems Engineering
WSDG gives guidance in an increasingly crowded world of technology devices, standards and practices all claiming to be the best and the most future proof. Corporate, cultural, educational, residential and governmental sites alike are constantly striving to improve their media systems in an effort to stay on top of current presentation, communication, collaboration, conferencing and entertainment techniques. WSDG provides well integrated AV System Designs based on the highest industry standards, while working collaboratively with its clients in developing long term visions, outlooks and strategies.
Telecollaboration, teleconferencing and telecommuting significantly influence corporate culture and workflow. Substantial engineering and integration efforts are required to make these technological advances in fact be supportive to the workforce. WSDG designs individual office, boardroom, conference center, and site wide media networks, while providing AV infrastructure with solid privacy protection and high usability to satisfy even highest quality requirements in both sonic and visual aspects.
The most visible part of the electroacoustical system is the loudspeaker. Loudspeakers are complex electromechanical devices so varied and rapidly shifting that the market is hard to oversee even for professionals. WSDG specifications are based on 3D acoustical software simulations and virtual prototyping of the venue or room where the architectural conditions are overlaid with the technical, aesthetical and budgetary criteria of the project at hand. WSDG often creates simulated audio playback demonstrations, called auralizations, to facilitate decisions based on auditory impact. Selecting the electroacoustic system most suitable for the space, after determining room acoustics and structural boundary conditions in what-if scenarios, enables WSDG to achieve and exceed target parameters such as loudness level, frequency range, coverage, directivity control and speech intelligibility STI. Electro acoustical systems may be used in voice alarm / emergency scenarios, where properties such as redundancy, certification and reliability are highly critical. WSDG has extensive experience for such systems and is fully familiar with all current national and international regulation including e.g. FIFA, IOC and UEFA.
Audio System Calibration or Audio System Tuning is the science and art of bringing the entire sound system to operate at its peak performance. The commissioning process involves WSDG’s highly experienced experts in audio measurement and sonic accuracy and is based on a sequence of tasks to obtain the maximum audio precision of the component ensemble installed in a space. Frequency and time-domain measurements as well as extensive listening tests are employed to carefully determine the correct placement, phase-alignments, crossover points, equalization and gain control of a loudspeaker-room system. Full documentation concerning component settings is issued by WSDG for client’s reference. For professional audio systems, WSDG recommends recalibration every 12 to 24 months to increase system accuracy and to maximize ROI.
No media experience is complete without a clear, bright, high resolution visual solution. WSDG provides comprehensive video system engineering services, including design of networks, hardware, software and other related infrastructure to support video applications within production, broadcasting, educational, corporate, information and entertainment contexts. Camera and display / projection system positioning often require integration and placement studies that are based on 3D visualization and studies. Typical auxiliary WSDG engineering fields include heat management and noise mitigation.
WSDG is a trusted partner for Peer Review, Expert Reports, Studies and Surveys within the context of Media Systems Engineering. Peer review is the evaluation of work and studies done by other parties. This work is often required to maintain standards of quality; assess solutions and designs; provide a second opinion or variations to a concept; create alternate solutions to improve performance and efficiency; provide credibility; and to verify costing and time table analysis. WSDG’s studies and surveys are often based on in-situ or laboratory measurements and assessments utilizing a wide range of international benchmarks and standards.