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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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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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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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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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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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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