Member Firm of the Australian Association of Acoustical Consultants

Recent Projects

PLC Performing Arts Centre Pymble Ladies College, Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts
In 2003, PKA Acoustic Consulting were involved in the acoustic planning of the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts at Pymble Ladies College, Sydney. The auditorium seats up to 750 people, with state of the art theatrical, lighting and sound facilities. PKA advised on suitable materials and finishes to obtain optimum acoustic performance.

PKA was also involved in acoustic assessment and advice regarding the foyer, rehearsal room, large and small studios, control room, workshop and loading dock. The centre has hosted many talented musicians, such as the Australian String Quartet.

Portico Scots Church 'Portico' Scots Church Residential Redevelopment
In 2008, PKA Acoustic Consulting were involved in the acoustic planning of the 'Portico' Scots Church development in inner Sydney. The 1920s heritage listed church had not been in use and was marked for redevelopment under the design direction of TZG Architects.

PKA consulted on the project regarding external noise impact - with recommendations for suitable materials to provide sound attenuation. External noise impact surveys were conducted, taking into account the noise emissions of city transportation. Potential noise impact from open plan designs and air conditioning systems were also assessed.

The firm was sensitive to the restorative yet modern spirit of the project, considering suitable design and material solutions to meet the heritage design preference - without compromising acoustic goals.

Qantas Club Lounges Qantas Domestic Terminal (T2), Sydney
Qantas has been a PKA client for many years now. The firm has been involved in the acoustic design for several major city club lounges around Australia. In the Sydney Qantas Club Lounge Sports Bar, PKA provided advice in relation to a sound system to accompany the existing rear screen projection system.

The design took into consideration the sense of direction of sound from the screen - with loudspeakers co ordinated with appropriate time-delay. Speakers were also placed to reduce noise spillage into other areas of the lounge. The overall design took into account technological progression, allowing for current operation as well as providing options for the future. Featuring capabilities for cable TV, HD TV, DVD, satellite and video cassette players with a surround sound format.

Easy of use was important, along with aesthetic design. A hidden control point allows Qantas staff to control the system via a touch screen controller. Volume control settings were also considered for crowded lounge noise, normal settings and quiet lounge noise.

Customs House City of Sydney Customs House, Circular Quay refurbishment
In 2003, Sydney's Customs House undertook refurbishment of their library and some of their commercial tenancies. The firm was enlisted to assess the existing acoustic environment both internally and externally. Preliminary acoustic design goals appropriate to the refurbishment were drawn up along with other recommendations.

Several external noise intrusions needed to be addressed (i.e. loading dock noise, cafe noise, airconditioning unit noise etc). Features of the original building impacted on noise intrusion - requiring solutions that were sensitive to both the desired acoustics as well as the aesthetic heritage of the building. Various absorptive finishes were recommended for several areas of Customs House depending on level of use and interior design goals.

Balmain Shores Balmain Shores residential development
PKA provided out complete acoustic design advice to Australand for stages 3, 4 and 5 of the Balmain Shores Residential Complex. Australands’ own “in house” acoustic demands exceeded the minimum statutory requirements and special acoustic design systems were developed in order to meet the demanding requirements of this quality development. In particular dividing walls and floors were specified to meet acoustic performance well in exceed of the minimum required by the Building Code of Australia.

Regular inspections and testing during construction was carried out in order to ensure the required performance was met. PKA also designed the necessary acoustic controls for the mechanical and hydraulic services plant to ensure the required indoor and outdoor amenity requirements were achieved.

Queens Square Law Courts Queens Square Law Courts, Sydney
PKA Acoustic Consulting was involved in the original acoustic design in 1968 of what was then known as the Commonwealth State Law Courts. The building was designed with a high durability in all its finishes to reflect the status of this important building. The acoustic design was also consistent with this concept. The acoustics within the courts were based on traditional alive acoustics rather than the later courtrooms which eventually evolved into recording studios.

Considerable research work was carried out on high performance lightweight plasterboard walls for this project. Whilst the plasterboard walls were not employed for this project, it nevertheless began the extensive use of lightweight plasterboard walls for future projects.

In 2006 PKA A C was selected to participate in the refurbishment of the same building now known as Queen Square Law Courts. The modernisation of the courts and their associated facilities involved providing outside light into previously fully enclosed courtrooms. This has involved acoustic testing of entire window systems to ensure that the required sound insulation against outside traffic noise can be achieved.

St. Vincent's Hospital St. Vincent's Hospital, Xavier Building
PKA carried out complete acoustic design and consulting services for the St Vincents Hospital new Xavier Building. This included all necessary advise to the architects Bligh Voller Nield and acoustic coordination for dividing walls and acoustic finishes.

A complete acoustic design and coordination with the mechanical consultants Steensen Varming was carried out for the mechanical services and air conditioning plant, in order to ensure satisfactory internal noise levels and that statutory external noise limits were not exceeded.

Aotea Centre Aotea Centre, Auckland
PKA Acoustic Consulting was awarded the Australian Acoustical Society’s Inaugural Excellence in Acoustics Award for their work on this auditorium.

The Aotea Centre is New Zealands Opera House providing a venue for opera, ballet and all forms of musical theatre. The Aotea Centre has a seating capacity of approx. 2300. It is universally recognised as one of the best lyric theatres to be built in the southern hemisphere after the famous Teatro Colon (1908, Buenos Aires).

The initial acoustic design of the theatre is reverberation conditions for the presentation of musical theatre. The design includes a reflective enclosure to allow symphony orchestra to perform on stage.