Benjamin Markham
President
After celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Norton Museum of Art embarked on its plan with architects at Foster + Partners and CBT to renovate and expand its facilities to offer a multifaceted experience for its visitors. Acentech was selected by the design team to provide acoustics, audiovisual, and vibration consulting for the planned expansion.
Within this newly imagined space, designers looked to engage patrons of different tastes and viewpoints. Sitting on 6.8 acres of lush, subtropical greenery, the museum’s expansion blends the lines between the great outdoors and interior gallery space by offering lawn-side film screenings, access to natural light in virtually every exhibition space, and a re-designed front lobby.
Acentech’s acousticians and audiovisual system designers provided expert guidance on creating the best sensory experience possible within this redesigned museum. Sound and sight are key aspects to visitors’ abilities to connect with pieces showcased in the galleries. Reverberation mitigation, mechanical system noise and vibration control, and sound isolation from outdoor noise allow interior and exterior spaces to co-exist in harmony. Sound system design for live performances and lectures helps the museum further enhance its cultural contributions to the West Palm Beach community.
During the construction phase, the Norton Museum of Art engaged Acentech to provide remote vibration monitoring throughout the facility to notify museum staff, in real-time, of any vibration issues to ensure the integrity of its art collections while undergoing this major expansion.
