Month: January 2012

Our research for affordable soundproofing includes online sources and in store visits.

This week our group discussed these options for sound proofing based on our current research.

During Monday’s meeting, we were asked to consider how this CSL project is similar to what we may experience as civil engineers. Typically, engineering projects have a detailed project timetable that outlines the major objectives, phases, and deadlines among other things. For this reason, group member Paul Docherty put together the following timetable which outlines the major phases of our project.

 

Research, Planning and Information Development

Jan 13^th 2012 – Jan 30^th 2012

This stage in the CSL project involves doing extensive research into soundproofing. It involves both research on the Internet as well as traveling to home improvement and soundproofing companies in order to find more information, including pricing for the materials and for installation.

During this period, our group will meet at least twice a week to either discuss information or to plan the installation of the soundproofing equipment. In addition to group meetings, a visit to the SJMA Music Academy was organized as well as a meeting with our grad student advisor, Drew Serles.

 

Coordination with Kathryn Walker and Second Site Visit

Jan 30^th 2012 – Feb 3^rd 2012

During our next site visit and meeting with Kathryn, we hope to coordinate our findings with her needs to see what the best solution for SJMA would be. Since they are on a tighter budget, we need to see what price range the board will give her before we can buy the necessary materials.

In this period we also hope to hear the children play a little more, in order to see the extent in which to provide sound control. At this time, each member in the group will have a much better knowledge of what soundproofing entails.

 

Buying Materials and Organizing Installation

Feb 3^rd 2012 – Feb 12^th 2012

Should the thumbs up by Kathryn Walker be provided, we will order/buy the materials needed to complete the project. We will also keep a record of all financial dealings, so we can present her with the details. This time will also include a third site visit.

 

Installation

Implementation Day, Feb 13^th 2012

Ideally, if all goes well up to this point, the installation of the soundproofing equipment will take place during this period. (Fourth site visit)

 

Final Check and Record of Improvement

After Feb 13^th 2012

This period will consist of our group visiting the site for the last time, in order to record the level of improvement within the building and to make sure that we met all our goals. Assessing the improvements can give SJMA ideas for future upgrades in the facility.

 

Exact Dates of installation, group meetings etc. are not yet set due to the fact that SJMA’s plans for budgeting are still in progress. Therefore, date ranges are approximate. This blog will be updated accordingly throughout the project.

Hi, we are team SJMA and our project is to look at various options for soundproofing rooms for Saint James Music Academy. Our team consists of six second year civil engineering students. We assigned team roles as follows:

• Colby Redekop – Contact Liaison
• Paul Docherty – Information Manager
• Annie Stancheva – Research Analyst
• Jason Yang – Photographer
• David Klassen – Note-taker
• Katrina Ong – Blog Editor

 

A little about Saint James Music Academy…

Saint James Music Academy is located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and offers children from low income families to experience music in a powerful way.  Having met with Kathryn Walker, the executive director, she expressed the main goal of the program, which is to provide a positive community for children to thrive in. It’s amazing how a non-profit organization has done so much with the few resources they initially had. They now have about 70 students, all of which are provided an instrument to use. Classes are conducted in the space provided by Saint James, where almost all ‘rooms’ have the potential to be music rooms. I say this because every space big enough for a few chairs and stands is used for lessons, including stair landings and storage nooks.  With multiple lessons going on at the same time, it is understandable why they are looking for some soundproofing options.

 

Our site visit…

On Tuesday, January 17 our group went to visit the Saint James Music Academy.  Stephen Rathjen, the Program Coordinator, as well as Kathryn Walker showed us around the facility. We were able to take some photos and approximate dimensions of the spaces, making note of which were the highest priority in terms of our project. Near the end of our tour Kathryn and Stephen went back to preparing while the students and music teachers started filing in. Upon arriving, all the students had their afternoon snacks and then lessons began.

As a group, we discussed our first impressions of the space and jotted down some ideas. We went around individually (in hopes of not looking too intimidating as a group of six university students) and re-visited all the rooms as the music lessons were in session. We could hear the amount of sound transfer through the problem areas that Kathryn mentioned in the tour.

 

Project constraints…

The space provided is borrowed from Saint James Anglican Church. This means that all permanent changes made to the building must be approved. Kathryn mentioned that she has already pitched some ideas, for example converting the movable divider into a permanent wall. There is also the option of temporary items that can work to sound proof. This is a good way to dodge the need for renovation approvals from the church; however, it adds to the list of items that the music academy uses on a ‘set up, take down’ basis. By the end of this project we hope to find a happy balance between the needs of both the music academy and the church providing the space.

 

Hey everyone,

My name is Drew Serles, I’m the grad student who will be working with you on the sounds insulation project. Alaya Boisvert is currently talking to the client and figuring out when you guys could go take a tour so I’ll keep you posted about that.

We should get together soon so I can meet you and we can figure out what you need to find out from the client when you go to meet them.

If you could post a reply with your name and email that would be great and I’ll send out an email soon about meeting up. My email is dserles@interchange.ubc.c.

 

Take care,

Drew

You can chronicle your CSL team’s weekly accomplishments as you move toward the successful completion of your project.