Canada will need about 3.5 million additional housing units by 2030 to restore affordability, according to the CMHC. Ontario has among the largest supply gap of any province. To reach the target set by the Housing Affordability Task Force, Ontario must build 150,000 houses per year. That is a big target. Land use and restrictive zoning rules can make it difficult to build housing in particular areas, such as where airport noise is high. There is no one single answer for the problem of housing supply but there is a need for creative solutions. No one wants to see prime agricultural land lost. D ..read more

Acoustics ensures everyone in the community can be heard Land-based practices such as green architecture, use of natural materials, sustainability, and connection with the Earth are teachings Indigenous peoples have valued for centuries. As we all continue to reflect on the truth of the past on the path to reconciliation, more architects are embracing Indigenous values in their design, so everyone using a space can benefit. Aercoustics’ goal is to deliver effective acoustic performance for Indigenous design and Indigenous architecture in construction. Companies wanting to include Indigenous va ..read more

As rental rates soar across the country and demand for residence space increases, many post-secondary institutions are looking for innovative solutions to add student housing options. McMaster University’s Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL) is the first new residence to be built on the Hamilton campus in 15 years. However, this facility isn’t just a space for students to sleep. It’s a multipurpose facility ready to host a wide variety of services and facilities under one roof including academic spaces, a student wellness centre and childcare facility. Multipurpose facilities o ..read more

Over the last two decades, design requests have adapted to new needs. Before this, older building design projects centred on a primary function. A client would look to design an educational facility or a performing arts venue for a narrow range of uses. Today, demand for multipurpose venues is increasing. In fact, single-purpose venues are becoming rarer. The economics of running a venue almost always demands many sources of revenue, and a variety of groups using the space in different ways. Maybe the question we should ask ourselves is which performance spaces are NOT multipurpose. Multipurpo ..read more

Once a quarter, on a Thursday afternoon, the Aercoustics team shuts down operations for 24 hours. No checking email or voicemails allowed. Everyone in the office is encouraged to work on any project and it does not have to be company-related. Our Rogue Days are meant to be an opportunity to innovate. Many have led to new tools and software, technology and solutions now used by our consulting engineering practice. But even our Rogue Day expectations were exceeded with the creation of a tool that would help our team set precedence in acoustic design in a Canadian cultural landmark: The Tom Patte ..read more

As children, we’re told by our teachers to pay attention. But what if the classroom acoustics were hindering our ability to hear? In traditional learning environments, there are many sources of sound: the voices of students, teachers, staff, and students in the hallways plus external sources like construction or traffic outside the school. How that sound travels and is received by staff and students depends on many factors from the layout of the room to the internal finishes. When that sound is not wanted and disruptive, it becomes noise. The issue is compounded as schools look to help collabo ..read more

Interest and adoption of mass timber construction has been swift since it made its debut in North America in 2012. And demand has only multiplied with growing interest in biophilic design which integrates natural elements such as plants, green walls, healing gardens and wood finishes into building interiors. It has become so popular, that a recent report projects that the number of mass timber buildings could double every two years.   Acoustical Challenges of Mass Timber The use of exposed wood walls and ceilings have become trendy as well as beautiful. And it has a lower carbon footprin ..read more

Construction is synonymous with noise and vibration. There is no disputing it. However, in certain situations, noise and vibration can and must be controlled.  Not only can it cause damage to property, but it can interfere with sensitive equipment such as MRI or CT machines at a nearby hospital. While bylaws vary by city, Toronto requires you to complete a vibration control form before securing a building permit. Generally, the permit process in most municipalities, including Toronto, is focused on structural damage to nearby buildings or services. It does not take into account the impact ..read more

For many smaller speciality consultants in our industry, developing strategic company goals to pursue certain sectors and clientele is typical, but many do not capitalize on the natural partnership of sales and marketing. Aercoustics is an exception. We use sales targets to create our marketing plan. Aligning sales and marketing means they operate as a unified organization with a shared system of strategy, goals and communication. We have found by working together, we can concentrate limited resources on the best opportunities to grow our market share. When the overall company initiative is go ..read more

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