North Branch completes construction of studios

North Branch Construction, Inc. has completed construction of the broadcast studios for N.H. Public Radio. The sixth floor at 2 Pillsbury St. has been transformed from an open 20,000 s/f space to a broadcast studio, which features an isolated core space for broadcasting surrounded by conference rooms and other office support areas. C.N. Carley Associates provided the design for the project. Broadcasting from the new studios began in December. Some of the most interesting features of the construction remain hidden beneath the floors and above the ceiling. Special features of the construction isolate the core area from the rest of the building by means of a floating layered floor (suspended on isolation blocks) and vibration isolation springs supporting the suspended ceiling. The 6 to 12 inch thick walls in the core area were specially designed and layered with sound insulation blankets. Special neoprene gaskets and acoustical caulking seal any penetrations and cracks from small holes carrying telephone wire to 12 and 24 inch ducts. Doors and windows in these isolated areas were constructed with special acoustical materials.