As the US Department of Energy's (DOE) primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development, the ESIF houses 200 researchers and staff in eight diverse work spaces. Each of the spaces was uniquely designed to fit the research and testing needs of the different work groups and include: A 3D collaboration lab; Control room that monitors and controls the facility processes; Visualization labs where experiments being performed in the electricity, thermal, and fuel labs can be visualized on a large, high-definition screen; Conference rooms of various sizes throughout the facility.
Architectural firm of record, SmithGroupJJR (SGJJR), engaged Convergent Technologies Design Group to design an audio solution to fit the distinct needs across the varied spaces. Audia and Nexia's flexibility and modular DSP architecture allowed Convergent Technologies to design the best audio solution for new building. Through this dynamic design partnership, the NREL facility is not just unique among similar types of facilities, but is one of the most technologically advanced in the world.
"Early involvement in a project is key," shared Paul Corraine, president of Convergent Technologies Group. "Our long relationship with SmithGroupJJR enabled us to forecast and creatively solve for many unique needs the NREL had, while developing a seamless technological solution."
(Jim Evans)
