projects
Den Norske Opera & Ballett
In 2023 we were honored with the task of designing and building a recording studio for The Norwegian Opera & Ballet. We soon understood that this project was an opportunity to create something exceptional, and we embraced the project with great enthusiasm!
Beyond the fact that the opera house wanted a world-class sounding studio with high-end aesthetics, there were several challenges we had to overcome with this project. The studio was to be constructed in an area that was intended for storing chairs, leaving us with an asymmetrical space that was far from an ideal starting point.
The opera also had some complex needs when it came to functionality and work ergonomics. In addition to the mixing position they wanted a producer's desk, a small lounge, an additional workstation for stereo mix, a bar table for the staff to hang around, and a booth to record podcasts and smaller ensembles. And of course, it should all be executed to meet the Dolby Atmos standard!
In cases like this we really benefit from having a team with diverse expertise. The reason we succeeded with this project is that all members of our team have in-depth and hands-on experience with music production, acoustic design and construction work. In collaboration with the staff at the opera house we were able to deliver a studio that met all their needs without compromising on outstanding acoustic performance.
We are grateful for the trust shown to us by The Norwegian Opera & Ballet, and we are really proud of the result!
Filmbling
In 2022 we were approached by Filmbling and Johannes Ringen, to make a new audio post-production facility in Oslo.
Filmbling, led by Christian Schaanning, stands as a pioneering force in film sound production, boasting numerous accolades and international recognition for their exceptional work. Meanwhile, Johannes Ringen is one of Norway's most esteemed film composers, renowned for his remarkable contributions to the cinematic landscape.
Our mission was to design and construct four mixing rooms tailored to Dolby Atmos standards, and a booth for overdubs. It was clear from the get go that this project had to meet the highest industry benchmarks for immersive sound experiences.
A distinctive aspect of this project was the necessity to fit four mixing suites into a relatively small footprint. The challenge was to make rooms that feel open, airy and alluring without compromising on ergonomics and acoustic performance.
This project marked a significant milestone as it was the first full-scale implementation of our proprietary simulation software. Leveraging advanced technology, we were able to simulate and optimize every aspect of the mixing rooms, ensuring optimal performance and client satisfaction.
We take pride in our collaboration with Filmbling and Johannes Ringen, and we are honored to have contributed to their ongoing success in the industry.
The Norwegian chamber orchestra
In 2022 the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra moved into an old facility at Montebello in Oslo. What is now their concert hall used to be the room where Statkraft monitored the distribution of electrical power through all of Norway.
In terms of visual aesthetics, the room has a very clear identity that we wanted to preserve. Acoustically, the room was not functioning well for the orchestra. The space was a very dull and uninspiring place to perform acoustic music leaving the performers feeling isolated on the podium, rather than being part of an orchestra. So the main objectives was to get reverb time up, and secure a pleasant pattern of reflections and an even distribution of sound energy in the hall. The hall has no permanent podium or fixed seats, because the orchestra wants maximum flexibility in terms of use.
First part of the process was removing all the porous absorbers that were installed by Stakraft. Naturally, this led to a bit more reverb, but not on the pleasant side. Flutter, echo and standing waves really started to happen. When we started to introduce diffusion to the room and take control over the pattern of reflections, the room started to shine! One thing that we are particularly satisfied with, is the way we solved the ceiling. There is a curved, suspended ceiling that is filled with Glava over the orchestra. Acoustically this represents a huge problem, and for budget and sustainability reasons we didn't want to tear it down. Instead we were able to produce custom binary diffusers that we mounted into the suspended ceiling. Below the suspended ceiling we installed poly-diffusers, and in interaction with the suspended ceiling this really helped preserve acoustic energy in the room and secure an even spread of reflections.
Maskinhallen Fjellhamar
In spring 2023 we started a collaboration with Built arkitektkontor and Solon eiendom. The mission was to transform an old factory in the suburbs of Oslo into a residential area. The beating heart of this area was envisioned to be a concert venue in the production hall of the old factory.
From an acoustic point of view, the main challenge was a reverberation time that exceeded 6,5 seconds, leaving the place useless as a concert venue. Also, from the user side it was quite open how this space will be used in the future. The only guidance we got was that the old industrial vibe should be preserved.
This was an exciting project, and again we were allowed to play around with lots of ideas leading us into constructing baffles and Helmholtz resonators in all sizes and shapes! Another thing we did was construct the back wall of the scene as one gigantic membrane absorber, especially placed and tuned to control the low end of the room.
Maskinhallen was opened in October 2023 by local artist Marit Larsen, make sure you check out the wrap up film below!
