Commercial Acoustics was contracted by JE Dunn Construction to install acoustic treatment at Chatham County Courthouse located in Savannah, Georgia. This included installing various forms of acoustic panels, planks, and fiberglass throughout four floors of the building. We used products designed by Topakustik and Acoustical Solutions to provide Chatham County with a transformative noise-reduced environment.
Wooden Acoustic Panels for Aesthetics and High Absorption
Our team placed perforated wood panels in each courtroom at Chatham County Courthouse. These panels were designed with a perforated MDF board core, and perforated veneer face chosen by the designer – every wood product in the courthouse used the same veneer with the same stain. The standard installation method has the panels stood off from the wall with enough space to place fiberglass insulation behind the wood panels, keeping the bright yellow material hidden yet functional. When a large amount of these panels are placed next to each other, it simply appears to be a wooden wall rather than bulky acoustic treatment, which is the exact goal that Chatham County had in mind. The absorptive material has an impressive NRC of 0.9, which will greatly reduce the amount of noise that gathers in a space, allowing courtroom members to effectively carry out their duties.
In the lobby and atrium of the courthouse, our team installed perforated wood planks as opposed to monolithic panels. These were also installed with 1″, 6 pcf fiberglass behind to allow for superior sound absorption in these areas. The planks were mounted horizontally (pictured below) and offered a unique and high-end look on all4 floors of the courtroom lobby.
Fabric Wrapped Panels for Noise Reduction in Open Areas
Additionally, our team installed various custom sizes of acoustic wall panels above the perforated wood panels in the courtrooms. They are made of a fabric wrapped, durable material that reduces echo and further improves speech intelligibility. This is crucial in spaces like a courthouse since large-volume areas are more likely to create echo, which can be extremely distracting. Chatham County selected a greige fabric to complement the wood finishes in the space.
Chatham County Courthouse – Acoustic Panels and Fiberglass: Conclusion
To conclude, our team installed 3 different products in Chatham County Courthouse:
- Perforated wood panels
- Perforated wood planks
- Fabric wrapped panels
This installation was intensive yet extremely fulfilling for our team. We are very proud of our hard work and commitment, feeling honored to have been apart of the renovation process. If your business is looking for acoustic solutions with great results, please contact our team!
