• Pitch Perspectives

    Preach It! How Acoustics Can Inspire Prayer in Sacred Spaces

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    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 and theatres but sound is just as critical in worship spaces and should not be overlooked. While services will vary from one religion to another, all sacred spaces share similar acoustical requirements; they just need them to varying degrees. The right architectural design and acoustical treatments can create an environment that ensures every member of the congregation is part of the service. Acoustical Challenges of Worship Spaces Constructing a place of worship breaks all bounds of creativity. From intricately designed spaces that are generally grandiose and filled with light to others that have geometric patterns or natural elements. Everything from the high ceilings to circular rooms or domes have a significant impact on acoustics. It can be challenging to modify […]

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  • Reaching a Global Talent Pool with Your Recruiting Program

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    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 creative and expand your borders when it comes to a talent search. Our industry is a niche business and finding good recruits can be a challenge even when the job market is not so competitive. When we need experienced people, we use all avenues available to us and often source people through direct referrals and partnerships.

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  • What it’s REALLY Like Immigrating to the Great White North

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    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, I landed on Canadian soil for the very first time and was welcomed with open arms by customs officials who wished me a happy birthday before sending me on my way to make my Canadian dream a reality.

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  • Pitch Perspectives

    Getting Your Acoustics Pitch Perfect in a Performance Venue

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    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.

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  • lobby of mixed-use residential building condo

    Changing the Shape of Mixed-Use Residential Projects

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    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.

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  • Get it Right the First Time: The Transition from OMB to LPAT

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    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.

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  • Like Nails on a Chalkboard: Managing Transit Noise in Residential Areas

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    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 impact the neighbourhood. Transit Noise Can Be Quite the Nuisance Wheel squeal noise, in particular, can significantly impact a community. Transit noise is going to happen but there are methods to manage the rail sounds. Depending on the conditions, rail noise can sound either like a lower pitched moan; or what’s called flange squeal, a high-pitched squeal akin to nails on a chalkboard. We have seen many situations where residents are up in arms about the noise while transit operators try to figure out how to provide the service without disrupting the peace. This leaves many to ask: what can be done to control rail squeal noise? Understanding Rail Squeal Noise Whenever the metal from the train wheels interacts with […]

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  • Failures = Innovation

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    Learning from mistakes leads to better engineering 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. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” — Thomas A. Edison This speaks to our values as a company. At Aercoustics, what sets us apart is our passion for Outrageous Engineering. In order to deliver, we […]

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  • Rock Out Toronto! Acoustic Design for New Recording Studio

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    Transforming an Old Warehouse into a Much-Needed Musical Rehearsal Space 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, a 10,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art music rehearsal and multimedia production facility in the heart of Toronto. This is not a garage or basement rehearsal space, but a venue designed for music. Originally a warehouse, Lynx Music is now a two-storey facility consisting of nine rehearsal studios and a fully floating recording studio block which features a live room, control room, a vocal isolation […]

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  • Aercoustics Wind Turbine Noise Impact Assessments

    Turn, Turn, Turn!

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    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.

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