Albert Einstein Education and Research Center

A vaulting glass roof provides natural light and features a unique membrane system that filters light and sound to create a relaxed, welcoming environment. Common meeting areas and open circulation balconies surround the beautiful indoor landscape.

Plantings of native Brazilian flora provide more than decorative beauty and fresh air — they are designed as an anchor and focal point for the two main wings which branch into active spaces and include an auditorium, restaurant, classrooms, and laboratories. The building program includes spaces for medical and nursing education, as well as research laboratories that focus on molecular biology, bioengineering, nanotechnology, and drug research. All users share the central atrium along with spaces for collaborative meetings, such as the 400-seat auditorium.

Acentech’s team provided a 3DListening® auralization to support the acoustical design recommendations and to help the project ownership and design team assess design options for the atrium and finalize the critical acoustical design decision of the roof membrane system. The team listened to the model of the space under a range of roof membrane systems and use conditions including social events, speech presentations, and casual study lounge. The resulting design created a relaxing, open sounding environment that resembled an outdoor space, rather than an enclosed reverberant volume. Many different groups can enjoy this large space at the same time as they would a public park, all without distracting each other with their talking or activity.

Our designs included audiovisual systems for team-based/active learning classrooms, distance learning classrooms, huddle spaces, conference rooms, a large divisible auditorium, and a sound system for an amphitheater in the atrium. The audiovisual systems employ state-of-the-art digital audio and video signal transport via network-based protocols, digitally steerable loudspeakers for the atrium, and classroom web-conferencing and capture devices. Advanced controls of the auditorium’s audiovisual system functions were provided for the technical staff to operate the audio and video presentation equipment and the broadcast system used for recording, archiving, and streaming events. The auditorium includes an interpreter booth with the ability to wirelessly broadcast translated audio to personal listening devices for users within in the space.