Hello bill2222,
Thank you for your question. Having spent 25 years in the audio
business in the Bay Area, I feel uniquely qualified to make some
recommendations to you. You are situated in an area that will offer
you some very good options for acoustical consultations.
Just for a little background information for making your decision on
who to use, I'll refer you to this page at NCAC - The National
Association of Acoustical Consultants:
http://www.ncac.com/howto.html?PHPSESSID=76f8556c288bc99ac9208942fb23dd34
"...Experience is truly the number one qualifier. The portfolio of a
highly experienced Acoustical Consultant will demonstrate a wide range
of solutions - from the complex and technical to the practical and
straightforward. Many acoustical standards and criteria are set by
regulation, but often the first task of the consultant is to set
appropriate acoustic goals for a new project, or for the resolution of
an existing problem.
The achieved quality of sound comes from knowing how to solve real
world problems through both technical and creative approaches –
through the skillful blending of Science and Art...
Every project undertaken by a consultant is unique. While many
assignments may be similar in nature, no two ever are identical. For
this reason, it is essential that a consultant be chosen with
deliberate care. In essence, the more experienced and qualified he is
to undertake a given project, the more likely his services will be in
accord with the goals and objectives of his client. Moreover,
provision of consulting services, by definition, implies a close,
privileged relationship between the consultant and his client. To give
less than full consideration to the selection/retention process,
therefore, would be to jeopardize a successful consultant-client
relationship before it begins, thereby jeopardizing the successful
outcome of the project at hand.
In the event that you have not already established a relationship with
an acoustical consultant, the National Council of Acoustical
Consultants recommends for your consideration the following method of
selection and retention, tested through many years of successful
application:
1. Determine to the extent possible the nature and scope of the
problem or assignment involved.
2. Through contact with mutual acquaintances who have previously
utilized acoustical consultants, or from directories of qualified
independent consulting firms provided by an organization such as NCAC,
identify one or more acoustical consultants who, by virtue of previous
experience, stated capabilities, availability and proximity of
location, as well as other relevant factors, appear to be generally
qualified to undertake the project.
3. Provide project details to the consultants so identified and
request from each statements of qualification, including a complete
description of the firm, previous assignments and clients, names and
biographies of persons who would be working on the project,
anticipated time schedules involved, and other factors which relate to
the quality of work to be performed.
4. After thorough review of applicant firms’ credentials and
experience data, possibly include direct contact with firm
representatives if such can be arranged, identify the firm which
appears most qualified to serve your specific requirements.
5. Contact representatives of that firm felt to be most qualified and
open negotiations to establish a mutually acceptable consulting fee
arrangement and payment methodology. Most consultants are experienced
in at least several types of retention agreements, including hourly
rate, fixed fee, cost plus fixed fee, percentage of overhead, etc.
Usually one of these will be most suited to the type of work involved.
6. If the negotiations prove satisfactory, the client should at this
point retain the consultant to ensure his availability for the
project. If negotiations are not successful, they should be terminated
and opened with other qualified firms, one at a time. It should be
noted that NCAC encourages open and frank discussion of financial
concerns between the client and consultant. Experience demonstrates
that mutually satisfactory client-consultant relationships rest
predominantly on the consultant’s ability to deliver cost effective
services on time and within the scope of the agreement. In fact, most
successful consultants pride themselves on their ability to tailor
their efforts to the scope of the project and the budget available for
services as well as for implementation of the recommendations
resulting from their services. It is urged strongly, however, that
discussions of fees be divorced completely from the ranking of
qualifications to prevent financial considerations from biasing the
selection process. True economy results only when services provided
are cost-effective in the long-term, helping ensure results which
satisfy the client’s needs from an overall standpoint. A consultant
who is fully competent to undertake the work is the one most likely to
provide such results..."
Ok, now armed with their recommendations for how to begin the
selection process, how is Sausalito for beginners? I would defintely
call Joel Lewitz:
Joel Lewitz
jlewitz@lewitz.com
Lewitz and Associates Inc.
http://www.lewitz.com
1505 Bridgeway, Suite 128
Sausalito, CA 94965
415-332-3434 or 1-800-640-4537
A little bit about Joel and his company:
Lewitz and Associates, Inc. offers a broad base of experience and
expertise in the disciplines of audiovisual and acoustical design.
This enables Lewitz and Associates, Inc. to develop coordinated
systems designs that are functional, economical and aesthetically
pleasing. Through our work on several thousand projects, Lewitz and
Associates Inc. has earned a reputation for providing excellent and
technically detailed work in a cost-effective manner.
What We Do
Audiovisual System Design
Sound System Design and Specification
Open-Plan Office Acoustics and Sound Masking System Design
Architectural Acoustics Design
Sound Isolation and Mechanical System Noise and Vibration Control
Environmental Acoustics
Programming, Conceptual Planning and Design Development
Construction Documents and Performance Specifications
Evaluation of Bid Submittals and Shop Drawings
Construction Administration
Testing, Measurement and Evaluation
Lectures, Seminars, Instruction and Demonstrations
Expert Witness Testimony
Lewitz and Associates, Inc. is a full service audiovisual consulting
firm located in the San Francisco Bay Area serving clients throughout
the world. Owned and managed by Joel A. Lewitz since 1976, Mr. Lewitz
has more than 25 years experience in the acoustical and audiovisual
consulting field and is a nationally recognized expert in sound system
and audiovisual system design. A strong and creative yet flexible
company, Lewitz and Associates bring a clear vision to every project.
The firm presently has eight responsive and professional technical
consultants plus administrative staff.
Next, Charles M. Salter Associates in the city. I am not sure if Bob
Skye is still with them, but worth a try asking for him by name. He
once owned the Plant Studios in Sausalito and may still be a Marin
resident:
Charles M. Salter Associates, Inc.
http://www.cmsalter.com
130 Sutter St. #500
San Francisco, CA 94104
phone: 415-397-0442
fax: 415-397-0454
contact: Charles Salter info@cmsalter.com
Specialties:
Architectural; Aircraft Noise; Community Noise Surveys;
Electroacoustic System Design; Environmental Impact Statements; Expert
Witness; Field Testing; Forensic Acoustics; Industrial Noise Control;
Mechanical Systems and HVAC; Multimedia and TV Systems; Open Plan
Office Design; Product Noise Control; Theatre and Concert Halls;
Transportation Noise; Vibration Analysis and Control;
CHARLES M. SALTER ASSOCIATES (CSA), located in San Francisco’s
financial district and San Jose, was founded in 1975 and currently has
a staff of 35 who consult on over 700 projects annually. Our
consultants have backgrounds in engineering, architecture, music,
speech, theater and telecommunications. This diversity of experience
allows our firm to provide clients with tailored services for a wide
variety of project types.
CSA has an in-house presentation studio which can be used to simulate
acoustical environments. We have used our simulation capability to
help inform clients, including condominium developers, The Disney
Corporation, Apple Computer, Kaiser Permanente, and the Fireman’s
Fund.
CSA wrote ACOUSTICS: Architecture, Engineering, the Environment, a
book for architects, engineers, facilities managers, specifiers, and
other professionals with a need for information on acoustics.
CSA’s subsidiary company, the Audio Forensic Center, specializes in
tape enhancement, tape verification and authentication, audibility
analysis, and acoustical simulations.
Charles M. Salter, P.E., President, has practiced acoustical
engineering for over 30 years. With educational backgrounds in
architecture, planning, engineering, and business, Mr. Salter has
conducted a wide range of consulting work in the areas of
architectural acoustics, noise control engineering, and environmental
noise impact. He has had project responsibility for various facility
types including hospitals, office buildings, schools, churches,
theaters, residences, and power generating plants. In addition, Mr.
Salter has served as an expert witness in over 100 cases including
jury trials dealing with such issues as San Francisco Cable Car noise
and freeway noise in Las Vegas.
Mr. Salter recently received the Allied Professions Honor Award from
the American Institute of Architects for his numerous contributions to
the field of architecture.
And last, Dennis Paoletti was Joel Lewitz' partner for many years and
can now be found at this San Francisco company:
Shen Milsom & Wilke, Inc./Paoletti
http://www.smwinc.com
649 Mission Street, 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
phone: 415-391-7610
fax: 415-391-0171
contact: Dennis Paoletti dpaoletti@sf.smwinc.com
Specialties:
Architectural; Aircraft Noise; Community Noise Surveys;
Electroacoustic System Design; Environmental Impact Statements; Field
Testing; Industrial Noise Control; Mechanical Systems and HVAC;
Multimedia and TV Systems; Open Plan Office Design; Theatre and
Concert Halls; Transportation Noise; Vibration Analysis and Control;
One thing their site mentions is:
"Industrial & Community Noise Control: Surveys of noise and vibration
characteristics to establish decibel mapping or contours around major
sources of noise generation. Recommendations for noise control of high
noise-generating equipment to comply with community noise codes, also
recommendations for compliance with OSHA regulations for employee
hearing loss and damage."
SM&W San Francisco began in 1999 and doubled in size with the merger
of SM&W and Paoletti Associates to form Shen Milsom & Wilke/Paoletti
in May of 2000. Our San Francisco operations provide technology
consulting services to California’s high-tech industry, higher
education and museum clients. In addition, our SF staff includes
world-renowned experts in the fields of performing arts and worship
space acoustics. For more information about our consulting services
and credentials, or to schedule a presentation at your firm, please
contact Claudia Lopez, Marketing Coordinator clopez@sf.smwinc.com.
Do ask for Dennis should you call here.
Bill, there are others, of course, but the above are the cream of the
crop and I would personally trust any of them to deliver a quality
analysis of your project.
Search Strategy:
My Rolodex
I trust my research has provided you with not only several, but the
best possible choices in acoustical consultants in the Bay Area. If a
link above should fail to work or anything require further explanation
or research, please do post a Request for Clarification prior to
rating the answer and closing the question and I will be pleased to
assist further.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
