November 26, 2024
Jacobs Music Center - Acoustical Finishes & Sound Isolation
After four years of renovations, the new Jacobs Music Center showed off it’s transformation with an opening concert September 28, 2024. HGA‘s redesign transformed the historic Fox Theater to a state-of-the-art concert hall, which serves as the home of the San Diego Symphony. The 1,800 seat venue’s key design changes included seating reconfiguration, historical preservation, critical updates to the mechanical and life-safety systems, and an acoustical overhaul. HGA collaborated with acoustician Paul Scarbrough of Akustiks.
Acousthetics was privileged to be a part of this project as the sales representative for acoustical finishes and sound isolation materials from Kinetics Noise Control, Noise Barriers, Pyrok/StarSilent, and RPG Acoustical Systems.
The entrance corridors to the performance hall were finished in StarSilent trowel-applied acoustical plaster, using simple reveals to create a minimally ornate pattern. The sound absorbing plaster allows the corridors to function as sound lock vestibules, limiting sound bleed between the lobby and the hall.
In addition to the concert hall, the project involved the renovation or creation of numerous support spaces. A multi-purpose lounge and recording control room, feature RPG‘s Waveform Bicubic G, Omniffusor G, and wood Diffractal acoustical diffusers. Modex plates and corner units were also incorporated for low-frequency absorption.
Additional technical support spaces such as practice rooms, dressing rooms, reception rooms, a music library, and offices feature fabric wrapped panels from Kinetics Noise Control.
For sound isolation, Noise Barriers STC-rated QuietSwing and Alexis doors and QuietLite windows were installed in numerous practice rooms and control and video rooms. Many of those same spaces also feature spring isolated ceilings by Kinetics Noise Control to limit vertical sound transmission, as well as a variety of other sound control components such as Wallmat and Resilient Braces.
Shout out to Performance Contracting Inc, the intrepid installer of the acoustical finishes, Starsilent plaster, and sound isolation products for ceilings and walls. Rudolph and Sletten was the general contractor.
For information or samples regarding the materials mentioned, please contact us at: info@acousthetics.com
We encourage you to visit the San Diego Symphony website for ticket and venue information to experience the hall for yourself.
Learn more about the transformation of the hall in this short video clip.