The document introduces WAVEFORM, a new product for optimized acoustical shapes. It describes how WAVEFORM uses advanced software to iteratively design ceiling panels with complex contours that provide uniform sound diffusion, unlike traditional repeating patterns. The software models sound propagation to determine optimal panel shapes that complement modern architecture while improving acoustics. WAVEFORM offers several standard panel designs in different sizes and materials to meet various architectural and acoustic needs.
The document introduces WAVEFORM, a new product for optimized acoustical shapes. It describes how WAVEFORM uses advanced software to iteratively design ceiling panels with complex contours that provide uniform sound diffusion, unlike traditional repeating patterns. The software models sound propagation to determine optimal panel shapes that complement modern architecture while improving acoustics. WAVEFORM offers several standard panel designs in different sizes and materials to meet various architectural and acoustic needs.
The document introduces WAVEFORM, a new product for optimized acoustical shapes. It describes how WAVEFORM uses advanced software to iteratively design ceiling panels with complex contours that provide uniform sound diffusion, unlike traditional repeating patterns. The software models sound propagation to determine optimal panel shapes that complement modern architecture while improving acoustics. WAVEFORM offers several standard panel designs in different sizes and materials to meet various architectural and acoustic needs.
Phone 301-249-0044 Fax 301-249-3912 email info@rpginc.com web www.rpginc.com SHAPE OPTIMIZATION and contrasted with the uniform As architecture evolves, there is a sound levels scattered from an WAVEFORMTM need for quantitative, contempo- optimized overhead canopy. Without the aid of the Shape rary, sound diffusing shapes that complement modern design in the Optimizer, it is almost impossible MONORADIALTM BIRADIALTM same way that the vernacular to determine if a given canopy forms of relief ornamentation, shape, panel density and orienta- The Monoradial is a 4’ x 8’ simple The Biradial is an 8’ x 8’ columns, statuary, etc. comple- tion will provide optimal coverage. convex arc, available in Glass x 6” Glass Fiber mented classic architecture. In Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GRG) Reinforced Gypsum 1983, RPG introduced the first Once the optimal shape is deter- and wood. The depth can be as (GRG) ceiling canopy, mum wavelength (mesh shown contemporary, quantitative sound mined, further improvement can deep as 1” per linear foot. An 8’ which is curved in two above is for a Waveform Bicubic). diffusing shapes called reflection be achieved by avoiding a period- panel can be a max. of 8” deep. directions. It is supplied Each boundary element is a dif- phase gratings. They had a very ic repetition of the shape, as you Custom GRG sizes are available. in four sections, which ferential equation and the surface pronounced form of a series of would see in a wallpaper or floor- are bolted together, pressures in each element are divided wells of differing depths ing pattern. While this may be taped, sanded and fin- obtained by solving the thousands that were based on mathematical pleasing to the eye, repetition is ished in the field. The of equations. Once the pressures number theory. These were anathema in acoustics, because Biradial is ideal for large are obtained they can be propa- quickly assimilated into modern this causes the sound to be rooms with high ceilings, gated to the observers. Then the architectural acoustic designs, but focused into specific directions where the large size is uniformity of the scattered pres- there was a further need for more determined by the repeat spacing. appropriately scaled. sures at all observers is evaluated generic shapes that architects and the iterative process is The Biradial is suspend- could integrate into their designs. To solve this problem RPG patent- ed with rigging cables repeated until a satisfactory ed (US No. 6,772,859) an innova- attached to integral shape is obtained. This digital To solve this problem, RPG devel- tive approach entitled “Aperiodic embedded metal loops, shape is then sent to CNC equip- oped a powerful iterative software tiling of a single asymmetric base which allow the panels ment to manufacture the shape. program (shown schematically shape”. A 1D example will illus- to also be oriented. below) that allowed the architect The uneven scattered sound from a flat SPLINETM BICUBICTM canopy at musi- cians ears on The Spline is a 4’ x 8’ optimized The Bicubic is a GRG optimized trate. The larger shape is com- stage, from a source in the center sinusoidal shape available in contour surface providing omnidi- posed of 5 segments of an asym- of the stage, is shown at the top GRG and wood. GRG panels are rectional diffusion. It is 4’ x 4’ x 8 metric base shape. The base 8” deep and wood panels are a 1/2”. Light or shape (blue) is assigned a binary maximum of 6” deep. Both can be sprinkler holes zero. It is apparent that this aperiodically modulated for can be molded shape is not simply periodically improved performance. Either into the Bicubic, repeated, but the second and panel can be configured for wall as well as any third segments (red) are rotated or ceiling mounting applications GRG product. 180 degrees and assigned a bina- to suggest a shape motif and the ry one, forming an aperiodic opti- program would acoustically opti- mal binary sequence. This sequence of 01100 is not just a HARMONIXTM GAUSSIANTM mize this shape, while maintaining the desired motif. This ushered in random arrangement of zeros and The Harmonix is a 2’ x 2’ x 4” lay The Gaussian is a shape opti- a new generation of 1-dimension- ones, but a very special type of in tile version of the Bicubic. It is mized 4’ x 4’’ wall or ceiling al and 2-dimensional (2D) opti- optimal sequence, which guaran- available in GRG and also fire- mounted panel in 6” and 12” mized wall and ceiling shapes. tees that periodicity effects will be rated plastic. depths. The two minimized and the scattering will The GRG pan- depths can be The desired shape is mathemati- be uniform. When combined, els can be paint- aperiodically cally described and segmented shape optimization and aperiodic ed and plastic modulated. It is into a mesh with boundary ele- modulation guarantee optimal, colors are avail- available only in ments 1/6th the size of the maxi- uniform scattering. able in quantity. a wood finish. SHAPE OPTIMIZATION and contrasted with the uniform As architecture evolves, there is a sound levels scattered from an WAVEFORMTM need for quantitative, contempo- optimized overhead canopy. Without the aid of the Shape rary, sound diffusing shapes that complement modern design in the Optimizer, it is almost impossible MONORADIALTM BIRADIALTM same way that the vernacular to determine if a given canopy forms of relief ornamentation, shape, panel density and orienta- The Monoradial is a 4’ x 8’ simple The Biradial is an 8’ x 8’ columns, statuary, etc. comple- tion will provide optimal coverage. convex arc, available in Glass x 6” Glass Fiber mented classic architecture. In Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GRG) Reinforced Gypsum 1983, RPG introduced the first Once the optimal shape is deter- and wood. The depth can be as (GRG) ceiling canopy, mum wavelength (mesh shown contemporary, quantitative sound mined, further improvement can deep as 1” per linear foot. An 8’ which is curved in two above is for a Waveform Bicubic). diffusing shapes called reflection be achieved by avoiding a period- panel can be a max. of 8” deep. directions. It is supplied Each boundary element is a dif- phase gratings. They had a very ic repetition of the shape, as you Custom GRG sizes are available. in four sections, which ferential equation and the surface pronounced form of a series of would see in a wallpaper or floor- are bolted together, pressures in each element are divided wells of differing depths ing pattern. While this may be taped, sanded and fin- obtained by solving the thousands that were based on mathematical pleasing to the eye, repetition is ished in the field. The of equations. Once the pressures number theory. These were anathema in acoustics, because Biradial is ideal for large are obtained they can be propa- quickly assimilated into modern this causes the sound to be rooms with high ceilings, gated to the observers. Then the architectural acoustic designs, but focused into specific directions where the large size is uniformity of the scattered pres- there was a further need for more determined by the repeat spacing. appropriately scaled. sures at all observers is evaluated generic shapes that architects and the iterative process is The Biradial is suspend- could integrate into their designs. To solve this problem RPG patent- ed with rigging cables repeated until a satisfactory ed (US No. 6,772,859) an innova- attached to integral shape is obtained. This digital To solve this problem, RPG devel- tive approach entitled “Aperiodic embedded metal loops, shape is then sent to CNC equip- oped a powerful iterative software tiling of a single asymmetric base which allow the panels ment to manufacture the shape. program (shown schematically shape”. A 1D example will illus- to also be oriented. below) that allowed the architect The uneven scattered sound from a flat SPLINETM BICUBICTM canopy at musi- cians ears on The Spline is a 4’ x 8’ optimized The Bicubic is a GRG optimized trate. The larger shape is com- stage, from a source in the center sinusoidal shape available in contour surface providing omnidi- posed of 5 segments of an asym- of the stage, is shown at the top GRG and wood. GRG panels are rectional diffusion. It is 4’ x 4’ x 8 metric base shape. The base 8” deep and wood panels are a 1/2”. Light or shape (blue) is assigned a binary maximum of 6” deep. Both can be sprinkler holes zero. It is apparent that this aperiodically modulated for can be molded shape is not simply periodically improved performance. Either into the Bicubic, repeated, but the second and panel can be configured for wall as well as any third segments (red) are rotated or ceiling mounting applications GRG product. 180 degrees and assigned a bina- to suggest a shape motif and the ry one, forming an aperiodic opti- program would acoustically opti- mal binary sequence. This sequence of 01100 is not just a HARMONIXTM GAUSSIANTM mize this shape, while maintaining the desired motif. This ushered in random arrangement of zeros and The Harmonix is a 2’ x 2’ x 4” lay The Gaussian is a shape opti- a new generation of 1-dimension- ones, but a very special type of in tile version of the Bicubic. It is mized 4’ x 4’’ wall or ceiling al and 2-dimensional (2D) opti- optimal sequence, which guaran- available in GRG and also fire- mounted panel in 6” and 12” mized wall and ceiling shapes. tees that periodicity effects will be rated plastic. depths. The two minimized and the scattering will The GRG pan- depths can be The desired shape is mathemati- be uniform. When combined, els can be paint- aperiodically cally described and segmented shape optimization and aperiodic ed and plastic modulated. It is into a mesh with boundary ele- modulation guarantee optimal, colors are avail- available only in ments 1/6th the size of the maxi- uniform scattering. able in quantity. a wood finish.