Autodesk, Inc., is the industry leader for 3D design and engineering software for architecture engineering, construction, manufacturing, and media entertainment applications. When designing the new headquarters for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Division, Autodesk required an environment that encouraged team collaboration while also representing the company’s history of innovation. With this in mind, the headquarters features open layout office areas with high, open ceilings, short glass workstation barriers, and large windows. Adjacent to the cubicles are a variety of conference rooms and private offices with frosted glass walls and smooth concrete flooring.
As Autodesk designed their new space, the team anticipated that the inclusion of so many reflective surfaces in the design would pose acoustical issues. Additionally, while the cubicle partitions are aesthetically pleasing, they do little to block sound from travelling throughout the open office layout. Another challenge for the design team was to ensure that both the core and shell of the new facility, as well as the interior space, was LEED certified. Autodesk needed a solution for their internal acoustical challenges that was energy efficient to help achieve this goal.
SOLUTION
Sound masking was recommended during the design process to address issues resulting from the many hard reflective surfaces critical to the aesthetic design. Autodesk needed their solution to be simple to manage, flexible to use, and easily customizable. Biamp’s Cambridge sound masking system proved to be the most adept at solving Autodesk’s challenges.
Each floor of the headquarters is equipped with its own sound masking module, separating each floor of the facility into six distinct zones and allowing for appropriate audio levels in each space. Emitters were installed onto the exposed beams of the open office areas and mounted directly into drywall or acoustic tile in the main corridors and areas surrounding the conference rooms. Each of the eighteen total zones has a different decibel level requirement.
CONCLUSION
Employees entering were unaware that sound masking was deployed in the space. After three months of use, the facilities managers wanted to see if anyone would notice if the system was turned off. Upon doing so, the facilities staff immediately received a number of complaints regarding noise distractions.
Autodesk’s new headquarters also received a Gold rating for LEED Core and Shell Development and the coveted Platinum rating for LEED Commercial Interior. While several factors contribute to LEED Commercial Interior certification, the Cambridge sound masking system’s ability to use less than 24 watts of power to provide masking coverage of up to 72,000 square feet helped Autodesk achieve the perfect rating. The LEED Commercial Interiors Certification is independent from the building’s LEED score and is based on providing an environment that is comfortable, distraction-free, and ensures a level of employee privacy. Facilities Coordinator Steve Boulas appreciates the system’s set-it-and-forget-it ease of use. “The software is easy to use and allows me to modify any zone without needing to leave my office,” Boulas said. “But I really don’t have to make adjustments, the system just works.” In all, the addition of the Qt X system has led to a better aesthetic design while ensuring a distraction-free environment with privacy for each employee.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
