Mass timber has been used widely for more than two decades in Europe but it wasn’t until 2012 when mass timber construction made its debut in North America. Since the first construction, interest and adoption has been swift. And now thanks to changes to the National Building Code (NBC), construction is likely to accelerate with the height restrictions set to double in the New Year.
Acoustics is subjective. Whenever I explain the concept of acoustics, I tend to share this: Sound is me cutting my lawn. Noise is my neighbour cutting his lawn. Music is…
This past year marks the 20th anniversary of Canstruction Toronto, a design and build competition that challenges teams to create structures made entirely from canned foods that are donated to…
It’s clean, affordable, and endlessly renewable. It’s no surprise that wind power is one of the fastest growing methods of electrical generation in the world. But whether it’s here in Canada or abroad, the topic of wind energy can be divisive. But it may not be the turbine’s fault. If a wind project is not designed or tuned properly, turbines can be a noisy neighbour.
Our engineers have had the great honour of working on some amazing projects including the Aga Khan Museum, Orpheum and Queen Elizabeth Theatre to name just a few. But we are particularly proud of one of our most recent projects because it is our own.
Fitness centres and gyms are constantly popping up around the city. From office buildings to the grocery store to condominiums, having a fitness facility in close proximity to other amenities…
The City of Toronto is sitting up and paying attention to noise—and updating the noise bylaw that is in place. New condos and office towers have re-energized the downtown core…
Regardless of your faith, worship services tend to bring people together through a combination of speech and song. Acoustics are important to both. We often associate acoustics with performance venues…
Hiring new members of your team is a time-consuming process. We invest time and resources in to ensure we find the right fit. We also find you need to be…
I will never forget the date March 12, 2018. It was the day I finally immigrated to Canada. Just one day after celebrating my birthday with my family in India,…
Whether you’re going to see a play or a concert in a performance venue, listening to a lecture or attending a service in a place of worship, acoustics play a critical role in determining your enjoyment of the experience. To understand acoustics, we need to understand our ears. This is the first post in our technical blog series: Pitch Perspectives! Where we’ll explore the various elements and parameters required to ensure good interior room acoustics of various types of facilities to provide positive acoustic experiences.
Mixed-use residential units offer city dwellers the luxury of being able to grab a bite for lunch, go to the gym, drop their dog off at daycare and enjoy live jazz without getting in their car. In many cities where space is a premium, mixed-use residential buildings are becoming increasingly common. Developers combine retail, residential, and commercial uses into one vibrant location. But convenient amenities shouldn’t be a burden. Read more about challenges that need to be addressed before construction and what to consider when building mixed-use residential spaces.
For decades, Ontario residents with concerns about proposed developments went through the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), the province’s independent, quasi-judicial administrative tribunal that handled decisions on land use planning issues and other matters. Last April, the OMB was replaced with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). Learn how the new LPAT has changed the appeal process and the significantly impact to whether your project is approved or rejected.
Living close to public transit has its perks. But the benefits can become a nuisance if the noise from streetcars, light rail vehicles or trains riding the rails starts to…
As one year ends and another begins, many workplaces like to reflect on the previous year and to celebrate their team and its achievements. At Aercoustics, we celebrate failures. Yes, you read that right. The biggest screw ups of the year are recognized with a trophy at our holiday party. This award is not meant to be negative. It is all in good fun and there is no shame in taking home the hardware. We do this to celebrate innovative ideas and learning. Our team works very hard and we want to reassure everyone that mistakes are part of the learning process.
Canada has a vibrant arts scene and many at Aercoustics count themselves as part of it, so we are ardent supporters. There is a critical shortage of rehearsal spaces for local musicians in cities like Toronto and Vancouver. Some of the already limited rehearsal spots have been swallowed up by re-development, leaving even fewer options for bands looking for a place to jam. That’s why we were thrilled to have the opportunity to work on Lynx Music…
All Wind Turbine Noise Impact Assessments Are Not Created Equal. When it comes to green power alternatives, wind power is a popular and growing option. It’s easy to see why: it is clean, affordable, and endlessly renewable. In fact, electricity from wind energy is one of the fastest growing methods of electrical generation in the world. And Canada is now the fifth-largest market in the world for the installation of new wind turbines.
Many contractors face complaints from noise and vibration that can threaten to delay or shut down their construction project. Some construction companies even found themselves fighting lawsuits launched by homeowners claiming the vibration damaged their property. Proactive noise and vibration monitoring can help mitigate this risk – and keep the peace.
As a whole, the restaurant and food service industry is a notoriously tough one. From well-known franchises to an independent establishment, the struggle is real and the numbers are bleak. Half of restaurants fail within four years and only make two per cent in profit.
If it seems like we have been making a lot of noise in our blog lately about noise, you’re right. It is a timely issue. Across the country, municipalities and ministries are repeatedly called to intervene when residents complain about noise disrupting their peace and quiet.