1. Publications Mail / Agreement
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Serving the wall & ceiling industry since 1953 • www.wallandceiling.ca • December 2014 / January 2015
in this issue:
Drywall History
Labour Solutions
Montecito North
Cinemacity
Construction
Outlook 2015

2. wallandceiling.ca » December 2014 / January 2015 » 17
The project’s $25 million budget included a high-end acoustic
installation to ensure state-of-the-art sound throughout the complex.
Shawn Saathoff, vice-president of Acoustiblok, was the chief
acoustic consultant on the project in collaboration with architects,
Da Da & Associates.
Saathoff worked directly with Nabil Da Da and Issam Bassil of Da
Da & Associates to develop an acoustic solution that responds to
the distinctive external architecture of the cinema by modifying the
internal volumes and seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology
to create a young and vibrant atmosphere.
“The first step was to achieve the highest levels of sound isolation
from cinema to cinema,” said Saathoff. “The second challenge
was to achieve intelligible localization of dialogue and a seamless
envelopment of the surround field in each and every cinema.”
To achieve optimum noise and sound isolation, a “box in a box”
construction technique was utilized for each of the 14 theatres.Abox
in a box structure is basically an independent structure isolated from
the main building’s structural foundation. Each theatre required
mechanically isolated floating floors, mechanically isolated floating
walls, and mechanically isolated spring hung ceiling assemblies.
Acoustiblok 4.88 isolation membrane was used in the construction
of the walls, floors, and ceilings to attain maximum airborne sound
isolation.
around the WORLD
Project: Cinemacity
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Owner: Prime Pictures & Empire Cinemas
Acoustic Consultant: Acoustiblok
Architect: Nabil Da Da & Associates
Exterior architecture: Velode et Pistre
Product / Manufacturer: Acoustiblok
Acoustiblok, Inc. recently completed an innovative
international project for a ground-breaking cinema complex in
Beirut, Lebanon. Cinemacity is a 300-square-foot complex in the
heart of the city.
The compound includes 14 high-end cinema theatres, two of which
are VIP, and all of which are equipped with cutting-edge technology.
It holds 2,400 seats and is covered by a dome lined with 256
LED screens, which continue down a long corridor leading to the
lower level theatres. Projections of incredible visual graphics and
numerous uses of light on the escalators and walkways are designed
to transport movie goers to another world during their stay in the
complex.
The building also includes restaurants and coffee shops found
throughout its three levels.
Innovation at
CINEMACITY
Beirut, Lebanon
Photo courtesy of Acoustiblok

3. 18 » The Trowel
All of these particulars are behind the elaborately detailed interior
elements, which were strategically designed to enhance the cinematic
experience. First reflections were controlled, surround envelopment
was engineered, and picture quality was enhanced by eliminating
distractive boundary reflections off the ceilings.
The bar and concession area was also custom designed
with QuietFiber® absorption materials that span the entire
complex to reduce reflection build up and create a plush and
inviting environment, all while accenting the vision of cutting edge
technology in a contemporary space.
“Were the customers happy? Emphatically,” said Saathoff. “In terms
of performance, the cinema exceeded expectations, ticket sales shot
up to 3,000 tickets per day, and it was a new record in the region for
such a short period of time.”
Acoustiblok sound deadening material was used because it
dramatically reduces the sound transmissions through cinema
walls, ceilings, and floors. The unique linear attenuation created
when Acoustiblok material is added to gypsum assemblies provides
enhanced noise isolation at the same frequency ranges where
gypsum inherently has deficiencies. These frequency ranges are still
apparent with as many as four layers of gypsum applied to a wall
assembly.
Acoustiblok changes the internal damping of the wall, adding
essential mass and enhancing the flexibility and stiffness and
changing the natural resonance of the structure. Acoustiblok has a
more linear transmission loss than that of multiple layers of gypsum
or hybrid gypsum designs encompassing adhesives.
Independent lab tests show that one thin 1/8 inch layer of
Acoustiblok added to a stud wall can reduce more sound than
12 inches of poured concrete. Rather than attempting to block or
absorb sound Acoustiblok material transforms sound energy into
inaudible internal friction energy as the soft heavy material flexes
from sound waves and behaves virtually the same as lead without
the environmental problems or costs.
Acoustiblok’s non fiberglass QuietFiber® has been utilized in
numerous theater constructions in conjunction with Acoustiblok
material to increase the STC and also in the public areas to absorb as
much noise as possible. Non-fiberglass QuietFiber® is rated at the
highest noise reduction coefficient (NRC), 1.00”.
It’s also fireproof, totally hydrophobic, non fiberglass, washable,
non-deteriorating, and mold and mildew-proof. Quiet Fiber is
UL rated for floor, wall, and ceilings applications, is 100 per cent
recyclable, and is 100 per cent made in the USA.
Lahnie Johnson, president and founder of Acoustiblok said, “We are
very pleased with the success of the Cinemacity project. This was a
huge endeavour that took over three years to complete. It is now the
new benchmark for future cinemaplexes across the world. We have
the ingenuity, experience, and materials to create a state-of-the-art
sound experience in any theatre regardless of size.” ■
■ AROUND THE WORLD