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Serving the wall & ceiling industry since 1953 • www.wallandceiling.ca • December 2014 / January 2015

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Drywall HistoryLabour SolutionsMontecito NorthCinemacity

Construction Outlook 2015

wallandceiling.ca » December 2014 / January 2015 » 17

The project’s $25 million budget included a high-end acoustic installation to ensure state-of-the-art sound throughout the complex. Shawn Saathoff, vice-president of Acoustiblok, was the chief acoustic consultant on the project in collaboration with architects, Da Da & Associates.

Saathoff worked directly with Nabil Da Da and Issam Bassil of Da Da & Associates to develop an acoustic solution that responds to the distinctive external architecture of the cinema by modifying the internal volumes and seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology to create a young and vibrant atmosphere.

“The first step was to achieve the highest levels of sound isolation from cinema to cinema,” said Saathoff. “The second challenge was to achieve intelligible localization of dialogue and a seamless envelopment of the surround field in each and every cinema.”

To achieve optimum noise and sound isolation, a “box in a box” construction technique was utilized for each of the 14 theatres. A box in a box structure is basically an independent structure isolated from the main building’s structural foundation. Each theatre required mechanically isolated floating floors, mechanically isolated floating walls, and mechanically isolated spring hung ceiling assemblies.

Acoustiblok 4.88 isolation membrane was used in the construction of the walls, floors, and ceilings to attain maximum airborne sound isolation.

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Project: CinemacityLocation: Beirut, LebanonOwner: Prime Pictures & Empire CinemasAcoustic Consultant: Acoustiblok Architect: Nabil Da Da & AssociatesExterior architecture: Velode et PistreProduct / Manufacturer: Acoustiblok

Acoustiblok, Inc. recently completed an innovativeinternational project for a ground-breaking cinema complex in Beirut, Lebanon. Cinemacity is a 300-square-foot complex in the heart of the city.

The compound includes 14 high-end cinema theatres, two of which are VIP, and all of which are equipped with cutting-edge technology. It holds 2,400 seats and is covered by a dome lined with 256 LED screens, which continue down a long corridor leading to the lower level theatres. Projections of incredible visual graphics and numerous uses of light on the escalators and walkways are designed to transport movie goers to another world during their stay in the complex.

The building also includes restaurants and coffee shops found throughout its three levels.

Innovation at CINEMACITYBeirut, Lebanon

Photo courtesy of Acoustiblok

18 » The Trowel

All of these particulars are behind the elaborately detailed interior elements, which were strategically designed to enhance the cinematic experience. First reflections were controlled, surround envelopment was engineered, and picture quality was enhanced by eliminating distractive boundary reflections off the ceilings.

The bar and concession area was also custom designed with QuietFiber® absorption materials that span the entire complex to reduce reflection build up and create a plush and inviting environment, all while accenting the vision of cutting edge technology in a contemporary space.

“Were the customers happy? Emphatically,” said Saathoff. “In terms of performance, the cinema exceeded expectations, ticket sales shot

up to 3,000 tickets per day, and it was a new record in the region for such a short period of time.”

Acoustiblok sound deadening material was used because it dramatically reduces the sound transmissions through cinema walls, ceilings, and floors. The unique linear attenuation created when Acoustiblok material is added to gypsum assemblies provides enhanced noise isolation at the same frequency ranges where gypsum inherently has deficiencies. These frequency ranges are still apparent with as many as four layers of gypsum applied to a wall assembly.

Acoustiblok changes the internal damping of the wall, adding essential mass and enhancing the flexibility and stiffness and changing the natural resonance of the structure. Acoustiblok has a more linear transmission loss than that of multiple layers of gypsum or hybrid gypsum designs encompassing adhesives.

Independent lab tests show that one thin 1/8 inch layer of Acoustiblok added to a stud wall can reduce more sound than 12 inches of poured concrete. Rather than attempting to block or absorb sound Acoustiblok material transforms sound energy into inaudible internal friction energy as the soft heavy material flexes from sound waves and behaves virtually the same as lead without the environmental problems or costs.

Acoustiblok’s non fiberglass QuietFiber® has been utilized in numerous theater constructions in conjunction with Acoustiblok material to increase the STC and also in the public areas to absorb as much noise as possible. Non-fiberglass QuietFiber® is rated at the highest noise reduction coefficient (NRC), 1.00”.

It’s also fireproof, totally hydrophobic, non fiberglass, washable, non-deteriorating, and mold and mildew-proof. Quiet Fiber is UL rated for floor, wall, and ceilings applications, is 100 per cent recyclable, and is 100 per cent made in the USA.

Lahnie Johnson, president and founder of Acoustiblok said, “We are very pleased with the success of the Cinemacity project. This was a huge endeavour that took over three years to complete. It is now the new benchmark for future cinemaplexes across the world. We have the ingenuity, experience, and materials to create a state-of-the-art sound experience in any theatre regardless of size.” ■

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