Acoustic Wall Panel Mural as a Cost-Savings Exercise

Thelma Chalifoux School - Edmonton, Alberta

General Contractor: Delnor Construction | Architect: ACI Architecture | Owner: Edmonton Public Schools

The Thelma Chalifoux School in Edmonton was built using the integrated project delivery model, commonly called IPD for short. This model varies from traditional Design-Bid-Build projects in that it allows more collaboration between all of the key stakeholders. As a part of this process, Western Noise Control was brought in to discuss options for adding acoustic treatment into this common area, while keeping costs low.

The original design intent for this wall did not have an acoustic panel array. It was originally designed as a mural using millwork and metal to create mountains and trees. As a team, we were trying to decide where to fit acoustic treatment into the room as it was a performance requirement under both LEED and Alberta Infrastructure, while also weighing the budget constraints. Through the course of this collaborative discussion, Western Noise Control suggested having the original mural concept digitized so that it could be printed onto acoustic panels. This would provide the needed space for the acoustics, still offer a feature piece for the wall, and provide considerable cost savings from the original design.

In the end, the basic concept of the original mural was digitized by the team at ACI Architecture and our team custom-printed 16 Echotrol™ acoustic wall panels (4’x8’) to create the large acoustic mural shown below.