Paint a clearer picture with in situ auralizations

Communication is at the heart of everything we do as consultants. We are constantly striving for new and better ways to guide our clients to make informed decisions. In situ auralizations of major pieces of future mechanical / electrical equipment allows major stakeholders and decision makers to get an aural sense for various equipment configurations, enclosure types, and barrier wall buildups prior to installation. After the auralization, board members and homeowners from past projects had a richer understanding of the anticipated experience at the property line and nearby classroom spaces when compared to reviewing graphs and charts alone. We will explore the value of, and challenges with, this in situ auralization method, as well as some future improvements to further validate the process through the lens of two past projects—New Trier High School and Lake Bluff Middle School in Illinois.