Benjamin Davenny
Healthcare | Market Leader
Principal
The University of Rhode Island’s new College of Pharmacy features bright open classrooms and laboratories, healthy indoor work spaces, high-technology mechanical systems.
The sophisticated LEED silver rated five-story, 147,000 SF science facility was designed by Payette and comprises classrooms, practice and teaching laboratories, conference rooms, and the dean’s office. Acentech was asked to provide architectural acoustics, mechanical system noise and vibration control, audiovisual consulting, and building vibration control consulting services for this project.
The focus of the acoustics consulting was sound isolation and room finishes, as well as noise and vibration control from the building’s mechanical systems. One interesting challenge of the project was the noise mitigation of a large ductwork system running over a noise-sensitive classroom. Acentech partnered closely with the design team to enclose all ductwork to eliminate bothersome noise to the classroom.
Acentech’s vibration consultants established vibration criteria for the laboratories and NMR suites and predicted footfall-induced vibrations in various sensitive areas. Based on Acentech’s calculations it was recommended to increasing the dynamic stiffness in some of the critical locations.
Acentech designed digital signage, videoconferencing, and audiovisual presentation systems in classrooms, laboratories, conference rooms, and a simulation suite. The auditorium was equipped with a 3-D projection system to support realistic display of molecular imaging.
Acentech is proud to support the University’s mission and goals.