Good audiovisual design depends on being able to see a system before it exists — in the building model, on the drawing, and in the acoustic simulation. The examples below show how rendering, drafting, sightline analysis, and acoustical modeling each answer a different question during design, and how the answers hold up against what actually gets built.
Underlying much of this work is a set of parametric Revit families I built, which let most of the AV design process be modeled, analyzed, and rendered directly in the building model. The families carry geometric equations that calculate projected image size — accounting for lens shift, keystone artifacts, and light output — along with loudspeaker coverage and recommended viewing distance. Design decisions get validated in the model rather than discovered in the field.
Modeling & Renderings
Rendering has become essential for evaluating designs and presenting them to non-technical stakeholders. The pairs below show the rendering alongside the completed installation.
Rendered (Left) vs As-Built (Right)
Rendered (Left) vs As-Built (Right)
This drawing was generated from a Revit Model. The worship space was designed in the 1960's and only a partial set of blueprints was available. The Revit Model was created from the partial set and field observations.
Rendering of the Model
Rendering of the same model. The projection screen was rendered to approximate the contrast ratio, and brightness in conjunction with the ambient lighting.
Rendering of the DGA executive boardroom, also generated from a Revit Model.
Schematic Diagrams and Details
Drafting remains the primary means of communicating designs to builders. Newer variations — pictorial diagrams among them — add clarity and reduce mistakes in the field.
Pictorial schematic diagrams make it easier to identify system components.
This sight line study was used to demonstrate to the architect and client the pitfalls of the wide seating layout.
Quality Details are Critical to any Good Design
Acoustical Modeling
Acoustics has long been regarded as part dark art and part science. Modeling and auralization demystify the process and catch costly problems before they are built. The EASE model shown dates to 2003.
Section view of an EASE model
Isometric view of the same model with the loudspeaker coverage data.
