Specialty Acoustical Materials Improve Upscale Dining Experience
Acoustical Systems Inc. and MBI Products team up to enhance Cameron Mitchell’s Restaurants’ (CMR) Del Mar restaurant acoustics at Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio
GLEAMING FINISHES APPEAL TO THE EYE BUT NOT TO THE EAR
Like lighting and décor, the sound quality in a restaurant’s atmosphere has a large effect on an individual’s dining experience. Wood ceilings, wood floors, glass, and gypsum are acoustically reflective materials that detract from an otherwise outstanding atmosphere. In the case of the Mediterranean-inspired Del Mar restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, architects and designers knew that certain décor finishes would cause prolonged sound reverberation. Keeping reverberation times low would help bring down the noise to a calm, comfortable level.
CMR’s proactive approach involves consulting experienced acoustical personnel to help them design and build their restaurants with correct acoustic measures from the start.
EXPERTS COLLABORATE TO DEVELOP TOP-NOTCH ACOUSTIC RECOMMENDATIONS
Acoustical Systems Inc. (ASI), located in Dayton, Ohio, has been in the noise control business since 1977. True experts at their craft, their goal is to achieve the acoustical sweet spot so occupants can enjoy their experience in a variety of indoor environments. To achieve this acoustic goal at Del Mar, ASI reviewed current designs, performed acoustics calculations, and made general recommendations for each area of the restaurant. Additionally, ASI worked with the architect of record, interior designers, and contractors to ensure acoustic design recommendations were in place, all while maintaining the aesthetic vision of the space.
ASI always recommends the best product for each specific application. An acoustical wood product application supplemented by MBI’s blackout theater board above the planks was deemed appropriate for most of the ceilings on the restaurant’s first level. On the second level, MBI Products’ Colorsonix® acoustic stretch system replaced painted gypsum, and blackout theater board was applied on top of beams and in perimeter soffits.
Photos provided by CMR
ACOUSTIC ANALYSIS YIELDS EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS
The final results in each area of study met or exceeded the design goal after implementing acoustical countermeasures. ASI measured the reverberation time (RT60), a metric that quantifies sound reflection or the echo in a space, after construction. Note the reduction in predicted reverberation times after the installation of acoustical products throughout, including Colorosonix and blackout theater board:
Bar area: 1.56 seconds > 0.71 seconds
Main dining room: 1.56 seconds > 0.66 seconds
Host/entryway: 1.56 seconds > 0.75 seconds
Captain’s Room: 1.28 seconds > 0.45 seconds
Terrace dining/bar: 2.99 seconds > 0.95 seconds
Private dining room: 1.1 seconds > 0.52 seconds
MBI Products and ASI’s collaboration on this project benefits the patrons of Del Mar and CMR by keeping excess noise to a minimum, improving the overall restaurant experience. The effect of cutting reverberation times in half or more can be heard and felt in this restaurant’s atmosphere. The more comfortable the environment is, the more likely patrons are to stay and come back.
PROJECT TEAM
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Associates
Design Collective - Architect
Buckeye Hospitality Construction - Construction
Acoustical Systems, Inc. - Sound Testing; Acoustical Engineering & Design; Turnkey Service
Buncher Construction: Acoustic Material Installer
MBI Products - Acoustical materials provider
Photos provided by CMR
