Specifying ceiling materials to achieve the best level of sound absorption is the correct starting point. However, ceilings alone are not truly capable of blocking enough noise between rooms to provide privacy and avoid annoyance. Additional steps need to be taken, either with the walls or with the plenum barriers, for effective sound insulation and to ensure background sound levels are within the desired range.
Located on the Gulf of Mexico, the building façade of the Westin Tampa Waterfront in Tampa Bay, Florida, is often subjected to the negative effects of rain, wind, high humidity, saltwater corrosion, bright sun, and soaring temperatures. Rapid fading and chalking of painted exteriors in the area is a problem that could be expensive and time-consuming to repair, as well as cause disruption to building occupants and visitors.
An 18-month, $165-million renovation project overhauled the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum’s spartan looks with a sophisticated sense of style and state-of-the-art upgrades, giving event attendees a fresh arena experience.
The risk of corrosion should be a key consideration when specifying finishes for a building envelope’s architectural aluminum products. Regardless of the project’s proximity to the sea, transportation facilities, transit-oriented developments (TODs), and many other high-traffic city centers can present significant challenges in protecting exterior-facing elements that are made of architectural aluminum.
When considering decorative flooring options, the statement, “beauty is more than skin deep,” applies to the floor finish more than one might think. The surface underfoot is a complicated area, and getting the look right means not only understanding the desired aesthetics, but also how this visual is going to be created and whether it will be able to maintain its appearance and functionality when faced with a site’s daily conditions. For example, will the finish be subjected to heavy foot traffic, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, food and drink spillages, frequent cleaning, or impacts? The list of design considerations is lengthy.
