Acoustical Systems Inc. and project team enhance the interior acoustics of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants’ (CMR) Del Mar at Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Like lighting and décor, the sound quality in a restaurant’s atmosphere has a large effect on an individual’s dining experience. Wood ceilings, wood floors, glass, and gypsum are acoustically reflective materials that detract from an otherwise outstanding atmosphere. In the case of the Mediterranean-inspired Del Mar restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, architects and designers knew that certain décor finishes would cause prolonged sound reverberation. Keeping reverberation times low would help bring down the noise to a calm, comfortable level.

CMR’s proactive approach involves consulting experienced acoustical personnel to help them design and build their restaurants with correct acoustic measures from the start.

The final results in each area of study met or exceeded the design goal after implementing acoustical countermeasures. ASI measured the reverberation time (RT₆₀), a metric that quantifies sound reflection or the echo in a space, after construction. Note the reduction in predicted reverberation times after the installation of acoustical products throughout, including Colorosonix and blackout theater board:

MBI Products and ASI’s collaboration on this project benefits the patrons of Del Mar and CMR by keeping excess noise to a minimum, improving the overall restaurant experience. The effect of cutting reverberation times in half or more can be heard and felt in this restaurant’s atmosphere. The more comfortable the environment is, the more likely patrons are to stay and come back.

• Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Associates
• Design Collective – Architect
• Buckeye Hospitality Construction – Construction
• Acoustical Systems, Inc. – Sound Testing; Acoustical Engineering & Design; Turnkey Service
• Buncher Construction: Acoustic Material Installer
• MBI Products – Acoustical materials provider
• Topakustik – Acoustical materials provider

ASI always recommends the best product for each specific application. Topakustik microperforated wood planks supplemented by MBI’s blackout theater board above the planks was deemed appropriate for most of the ceilings on the restaurant’s first level. On the second level, MBI Products’ Colorsonix® acoustic stretch system replaced painted gypsum, and blackout theater board was applied on top of beams and in perimeter soffits.