The University of Massachusetts’ Integrated Sciences Complex (ISC) is the first new academic building on campus in almost 40 years.
The new $182 million, 220,000 SF state-of-the-art building features research, teaching, and training laboratories, and has achieved LEED Silver certification. Acentech advised regarding sound isolation, room acoustics, and mechanical system noise and vibration control. Sound absorptive treatments and provisions for footfall-induced vibrations were also recommended.
The ISC features research laboratory and support space for biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, physics, and psychology; undergraduate introductory biology teaching laboratories; an interdisciplinary undergraduate sandbox teaching lab; an infant cognition lab; two new research centers, the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy and the Developmental Sciences Research Center; exhibition space; conference rooms; and food service and lounge space.
The large, multi-level atrium is a dramatic feature of the building that had unique acoustical challenges. This space serves as a campus center which is used for general circulation, public gatherings, and interdisciplinary functions. Acentech’s acoustical design, as incorporated by the design team, was executed successfully.
“Many researchers had concerns with the large atrium, believing that such volume would result in amplified noise and distractions to the research and instructional spaces in the building. Since moving into the facility we’ve all been impressed with the sound quality. […]
Noises from throughout the building have proven inaudible in the laboratories and are minimized from one level to the next in the atrium.”– Ryan Fitzgerald, Director of Laboratories
