Client: Louis Armstrong House Museum
Location: Corona, Queens, New York City
Industry: Museums
Architect: Caples Jefferson Architects PC
Acoustical Consultant: Creative Acoustics
Contractor-Purchaser: Nu-Tech Furnishings, Inc.
Products: RPG Perfecto™ Micro Walls and Ceiling Soffits
Project Overview
The Louis Armstrong House Museum, a historic landmark, preserves the legacy of the world-renowned jazz musician Louis Armstrong. In 2021, the museum undertook a significant renovation of its “Jazz Room,” a space dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience with an intimate and immersive atmosphere reflecting Armstrong’s iconic sound and influence.
To achieve superior acoustics and visual harmony in the Jazz Room, Caples Jefferson Architects PC collaborated with Creative Acoustics to create a space where sound, history, and design meet. RPG was selected to provide acoustic treatment solutions to optimize the auditory environment while maintaining the room’s aesthetic appeal.
Challenges
The Jazz Room required precise acoustic control to authentically reflect the sounds of jazz while preserving the historical integrity of the space. Given the room’s angular design, traditional acoustic solutions would not suffice, necessitating custom-built acoustic treatments that could blend seamlessly into the architecture while ensuring the clarity and richness of the sound.
RPG’s Solution
RPG was tasked with enhancing the room’s acoustics without compromising its design. RPG’s Perfecto™ Micro walls and ceiling soffits were the perfect solution, custom-engineered and installed on various angles to complement the unique architecture of the Jazz Room.
- Perfecto™ Micro Walls and Ceiling Soffits: These high-performance acoustic panels provided precise sound absorption while fitting neatly into the room’s angular design. The panels were installed at strategic points to manage reflections and sound diffusion, ensuring that visitors would experience the fullness of jazz as it was intended to be heard—clear, warm, and vibrant.
- Custom Installation: The soffits were placed at angled positions to accommodate the room’s layout, adding both acoustic functionality and a sleek, modern aesthetic to the historic space.
Results
The transformation of the Jazz Room delivered the following benefits:
- Improved Sound Quality: The Perfecto™ Micro panels significantly reduced sound reverberation, allowing the rich tones of jazz music to be heard clearly without distortion.
- Aesthetic Integration: The custom-angled installation of the panels preserved the room’s historic charm while introducing a subtle modern touch that complemented the museum’s overall design.
- Enhanced Visitor Experience: The acoustic improvements created a more immersive and authentic auditory experience for museum-goers, allowing them to feel more connected to Louis Armstrong’s musical legacy.
The success of this project demonstrated RPG’s ability to deliver customized acoustic solutions that enhance both form and function in high-profile, historically significant spaces.
Conclusion
RPG’s involvement in the Louis Armstrong House Museum’s Jazz Room renovation highlights the company’s expertise in creating acoustically and aesthetically superior environments. Through the integration of Perfecto™ Micro walls and ceiling soffits, RPG was able to elevate the auditory experience of this iconic space, ensuring that Armstrong’s legacy continues to resonate with visitors for years to come.
