Acentech Inc. completed consulting work on the newly constructed 280,000 s/f Wellesley High School. Acentech provided architectural acoustics, audiovisual systems design, community noise control, mechanical system noise and vibration control, and sound isolation services for the $110 million school.
The four-story high school opened its doors to more than 1,400 students in February 2012. Completed under budget and several months ahead of schedule, Acentech worked with Symmes Maini & McKee Associates, to design appropriate acoustics and audiovisual systems to serve shared learning spaces in the new high school. These spaces include the 700-seat auditorium, common spaces, general classrooms, offices, multipurpose drama room, band/orchestra room, choral room, MIDI room, ensemble room, gymnasium, library, production recording facilities, dance studio, wrestling/fitness room, and cafeteria.

The Wellesley High School auditorium will host musical performances, video presentations, spoken lectures, and live theater. Acentech recommended acoustical measures conducive to theater events and other presentations: quiet background noise, a high degree of sound isolation from surrounding spaces, and interior finishes to enhance the spoken word.

The auditorium's state-of-the-art sound system and digital video projection system, including a 15-by-26-foot screen, allow for compatibility with the latest digital video standards. The band and choral rooms are linked to the audiovisual system, giving these rooms a direct connection to the auditorium for backstage use and prompting performance entrances.

To address community noise zoning regulations, Acentech consulted on noise control treatments of the exterior mechanical system, which included the addition of sound attenuation devices on the equipment itself, as well as noise barriers with sound absorptive material to quiet the noise emission.

Wellesley High School was designed to exceed the Massachusetts Collaborative for High Performance Schools (MA-CHPS) classroom standards. Acentech's consultants and the Wellesley High School project were recently highlighted on WCVB/Ch. 5's Chronicle program. The February 1st episode, "Only a Test, " takes a look at behind-the-scenes testing and Acentech's role in creating good acoustics in the school's auditorium.