Friday, November 30, 2012

Sound Sketch Series 1

Gatewood is a building with many hard and reflective surfaces, so the space has quite a bit of sound issues. In all of the studio areas sound just seems to get drowned out by all the noise around.,

Room 204 seems to be one of the only spaces where levels seem much more controlled. This has a lot to do with the carpet, shades, and acoustical panels on the walls.

These elements are important to lowering noises in interior spaces.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Sketch Series 4


Direct/ Downlight- Studio Lights
Type- Direct
Mounting Type- Suspended
Lamp Type- Compact fluorescent
Manufacturer- Rongxing
Photometrics of luminaire- lamp luminous efficiency (lm/w): 98 lamp luminous flux (lm): 7840
Materials- Aluminum, Acrylic
Function- Fixed
Ballasts/drivers/transformers/dimmers- N/A
Environment:
Purpose of space- Work space
Purpose of lighting- Task lighting
Recommendations- Allow for better task lighting that isn't so bright and harsh
Effect on other luminaires in space- Can drown out other lighting effects, very over-powering
Changes- Not such an intense lamp
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/621040955/2012_Modern_Pendant_Light_Lighting.html?s=p

Indirect/ Uplighting- Outside room 204
Type- Indirect
Mounting Type- Suspended from ceiling
Lamp Type- Fluorescent
Manufacturer-DECO Lighting
Photometrics of luminaire- lamp luminous efficiency (lm/w): 90 lamp luminous flux (lm): 7700
Materials- Aluminum 
Function- Fixed
Ballasts/drivers/transformers/dimmers- Dimmable Ballast
Environment:
Purpose of space- Travel from one area to another
Purpose of lighting- Aid in path and way finding
Effect on other luminaires in space- Only lighting type in space besides natural lighting from windows
Changes- The lighting effects blend well to even out space, no changes needed
 http://www.getdeco.com/products/product.php?cat=architectural&id=571

Semi Indirect Lighting- Gatewood Stairwell
Type-Semi Indirect
Mounting Type- Wall mounted Sconce
Lamp Type- Fluorescent
Manufacturer- DECO Lighting
Photometrics of luminaire- Lamp luminous efficiency (lm/w): 70 Lamp luminous flux (lm): 7375
Materials- Aluminum
Function-Fixed
Ballasts/drivers/transformers/dimmers- Adjustable ballasts
Environment:
Purpose of space- Travel from one area to another
Purpose of lighting- Aid in path and way finding
Effect on other luminaires in space- Only lighting type in space besides natural lighting from windows
Changes- Provides even lighting effects in space, no changes needed
http://www.getdeco.com/products/product.php?cat=architectural&id=567

Semi Direct Lighting- Living Room Lamp
Type- Semi indirect
Mounting Type- Free standing
Lamp Type- Incandescent
Manufacturer- IKEA
Photometrics of luminaire- lamp luminous efficiency (lm/w): 50 lamp luminous flux (lm): 6525
Materials- Glass, Nickel plated steel, Polyester, Polystyrene
Fuction- Adjustable
Ballasts/drivers/transformers/dimmers- Dimmer option
Environment:
Purpose of space- Relaxation and Socialization
Purpose of lighting- Accent the space
Effect on other luminaires in space- Shares space with fluorescent overhead lighting
Changes- None needed 

Wall Washing- Gatewood 2nd Floor Art Critique Room
Type- Direct
Mounting Type- Track mounted, suspended from ceiling
Lamp Type- MR 16 Halogen
Manufacturer- Apullox
Photometrics of luminaire- (lm/w): 100 lamp luminous flux (lm):6556
Materials- Aluminum
Function-Fixed
Ballasts/drivers/transformers/dimmers- Dimmers
Environment:
Purpose of space- Presentation space for art work
Purpose of lighting- Accent walls for art work
Effect on other luminaires in space- Fluorescent overhead lights, warmer and contrast some
Changes- The usage of the lights fits it's purpose, combination of halogen lamps and fluorescent lamps can make space overly bright.
http://apollux.en.alibaba.com/product/706270898-213125348/HOT_3W_5W_7W_2013_COB_led_downlights.html?tracelog=cgsotherproduct1

Wall Grazing- Gatewood 3rd Floor Outside Digital Lab
Type- Direct
Mounting Type- Track mounted, suspended from ceiling
Lamp Type- MR 16 Halogen
Manufacturer- Apullox
Photometrics of luminaire- (lm/w): 100 lamp luminous flux (lm):6556
Materials- Aluminum
Function- Fixed
Ballasts/drivers/transformers/dimmers- Dimmers
Environment:
Purpose of space- Presentation space, also a path way space
Purpose of lighting- To accent walls for work, also to guide in travel and wayfinding
Effect on other luminaires in space- Shares space with fluorescent lamps, has a warmer color than other lights
Changes- Perhaps less fluorescent lamps and more focus on halogen lamps
http://apollux.en.alibaba.com/product/706270898-213125348/HOT_3W_5W_7W_2013_COB_led_downlights.html?tracelog=cgsotherproduct1


Slot Lighting- Durham County Courthouse
Type- Indirect
Mounting Type- Recessed within ceiling
Lamp Type-Fluorescent
Manufacturer- FontanaArte
Photometrics of luminaire- lamp luminous efficiency (lm/w): 80 lamp luminous flux (lm): 1660
Materials- Metal
Function- Fixed
Ballasts/drivers/transformers/dimmers- N/A
Environment:
Purpose of space- A workspace
Purpose of lighting- To uplight the space and create a soft glow
Effect on other luminaires in space- Shares space with recessed ceiling lights, when they are off, cannot fully light space properly
Changes-The lighting effect alone cannot be used to light space, perhaps make stronger
http://www.allmodern.com/FontanaArte-Slot-Recessed-Wall-Light-and-Housing-3749-4-FON1158.html

Accent Lighting- Gatewood 2nd Floor Lounge
Type-Direct
Mounting Type- Suspended from ceiling
Lamp Type-Fluorescent
Manufacturer- Access Lighting
Photometrics of luminaire-lamp luminous efficiency (lm/w): 75 lamp luminous flux (lm):1430
Materials- Acrylic
Function- Fixed
Ballasts/drivers/transformers/dimmers- N/A
Environment:
Purpose of space- A workspace and a socialization space
Purpose of lighting- To create direct task lighting
Effect on other luminaires in space- Shares space with track lighting
Changes- Creates even warm glow throughout, no changes needed
http://www.bathkitchendecor.com/product.asp?itemid=248116&gclid=CN6zq4qmkrQCFQkFnQodEHcAKQ


Cove Lighting- Durham County Courthouse
Type- Indirect
Mounting Type- Recessed within ceiling
Lamp Type-Fluorescent
Manufacturer- FontanaArte
Photometrics of luminaire-lamp luminous efficiency (lm/w): 80 lamp luminous flux (lm): 1660
Materials- Metal
Function- Fixed
Ballasts/drivers/transformers/dimmers- N/A
Environment:
Purpose of space- A workspace
Purpose of lighting- To uplight the space and create a soft glow
Effect on other luminaires in space- Shares space with recessed ceiling lights, when they are off, cannot fully light space properly
Changes-The lighting effect alone cannot be used to light space, perhaps make stronger
http://www.allmodern.com/FontanaArte-Slot-Recessed-Wall-Light-and-Housing-3749-4-FON1158.html






Thursday, November 15, 2012

Sound Paper 1

    Sound Paper

    Working at the mall here in Greensboro I can easily say I have had some very interesting dealings with sound and how sound fills that space as a whole. What sticks out the most in my mind is when they hire musical acts to perform down in the amphitheater.
    Going back to a previous statement, I use the term amphitheater loosely, because it is something very far from one. The only thing they share is the shape, but when it comes to channeling sounds properly, it does nothing close to that.
    When acts perform, much of the sound is channeled out throughout the entire mall. Since the floors are marble and the walls are just sheet rock and glass windows, much of the sounds reflect back in a horrible reverberation that echoes through the entire complex.
    The steps that allow for seating of the musical acts are not much help either. They are hard and hollow and do nothing more but reflect the sounds back. The thin layer of carpet on them does nothing to absorb the sounds, and sadly enough, this carpet is just about the only fabric material that can be found in the main area of the mall.
    It gets so loud in the mall on days people perform that I have actually heard of people leaving because they cannot deal with the loud noises anymore. I work at the Starbucks kiosk that is just above this amphitheater, so on those days it is almost impossible to take people’s orders or call out their drinks at a volume they can hear over the music and echoes.
       This loud music effect only makes people throughout the mall to shout louder and this on top of the music only makes the entire space even more difficult to handle. I do not feel like this is a space made for this type of entertainment. If they feel the need of having live music, they are going to have to change the overall space in a huge way to make it work, and even then I believe it is going to be a stretch.
    Acoustical panels need to be added to the walls that line the amphitheater, and even be placed throughout the shopping areas around the center area. Better and thicker seating in the theater could help as well, instead of hard hollow stairs that only have a thin layer or berber carpet on them.
    More carpet needs to be added to limit the reverberation effect, but that will create its own issues as well. With so much heavy walking traffic in a shopping mall, carpet is not the most effective form of flooring. Personally, I think to cut out musical acts would be the easiest option to make the acoustics of this space manageable.
    The mall and malls in general have classical been designed a certain way using specific materials that can withstand the heavy foot traffic they endure. These are the exact opposite materials that make for a pleasant acoustical space. I feel Four Seasons Mall needs to decide do they want to be a shopping space or a musical venue, but I am certain they cannot be both. The space would not fit the needs of the other for another.