Evidence-based design.
Acoustical design brings efficient noise and vibration solutions to your environment.
Architectural Acoustic Design
The perception of sound within a building is influenced by the design, construction, and finishes. We provide solutions that ensure quality performance based on industry standards and direct user feedback.
- Room Acoustics
- Sound Isolation
- Footfall Insulation
- Speech Privacy
- Distraction Control
Building Systems Noise & Vibration Control
The most common source of background noise in buildings is mechanical and operation systems. We bring a pragmatic approach to control strategies and systems to meet your performance goals.
- HVAC System Noise Control
- HVAC System Vibration Control
- Plumbing Noise Control
- Elevator & Escalator Noise Control
Vibration Analysis & Mitigation
Limiting vibration transfer is critical for sensitive building, equipment, and operations. Structure-borne vibration is a common source of noise complaints and we document the sources and path to ensure you meet your project requirements.
- Groundborne Vibration Testing
- Structure-borne Vibration Testing
- Vibration Analysis & Control
- Fitness Noise & Vibration Control / Remediation
Manufacturing & Industrial Noise Control
To improve health and safety within manufacturing environments the sources of noise need to be quantified and controlled. We examine the root cause of noise and evaluate the human impacts to develop solutions for hearing protection that go beyond ear plugs.
- Noise Control Engineering
- Noise Exposure Health & Safety Analysis
- Noise Source Investigations
- Alarm & PA Intelligibility
Acoustical Testing & Commissioning
Validating acoustical performance is paramount to ensuring design and construction success. We focus on delivering successful projects with measurable high-performance results.
- Footfall Insulation (AIIC / NISR)
- Sound Isolation (ASTC / NNIC)
- Noise Code Compliance (Exterior & Interior)
- Speech Privacy
- Sound Power & Sound Intensity
Expert Witness & Technical Support
Deciphering the intent and meaning of standards, codes, and criteria ensures a fair application for all parties. Our team supports organizations that are developing standards or researching solutions to improve the built environment.
- Expert Witness Noise & Vibration
- Noise & Vibration Engineering for Product Development
- Community Acoustic Performance Standards
- National Codes & Standards
I needed acoustical testing to get HOA approval to install hard surface flooring in my condo, and I wouldn't have been able to install new floors without the exceptional service provided by Tenor. They went above and beyond the required acoustical testing I hired them for, by taking the time to meet with my HOA in-person and advocate for me as a client.
Jonathan Chu 
In developing an innovative building technology, we had the need for an acoustical engineer that was able to look at the science with a unique perspective. What we found in Tenor were engineers that were willing to think outside the box and apply their skills, knowledge, and experience to assist us in reaching our high acoustical standards.
Dale PaulVP Product Development for Sustainable Living Innovations
I have had the pleasure of working alongside Erik in ASTM, ASA, ASHRAE and IWBI, where I’ve witnessed his professionalism and expertise; and perhaps more notably, his skill in communicating highly technical concepts clearly and concisely. His active participation in the development of standards is a reflection of his commitment to high-quality consulting and engineering, which he engages with great enthusiasm.
Viken Koukounian, Ph.D., P.EngKR Moeller Associates
Erik has been a pleasure to work with over the years and has always made us feel like a priority. His knowledge of acoustics and construction are far beyond our expectations and have resulted in substantial saving on both materials and labor.
Aaron MuellerDirector of Construction, Dogtopia
Proven industry experience.
COMMERCIAL
Our team develops solutions that ensure speech privacy between meeting spaces, optimize speech intelligibility for teleconferencing rooms, focused workspaces, and provide distraction-free open offices.
- T-Mobile
- Adobe
- Microsoft
- Apple
- Amazon
- JPMorgan Chase
- Indeed
- Seattle Genetics
- GitHub
HEALTHCARE
Our team engineers innovative solutions to optimize your HCAHPS “quiet at night” score, ensuring privacy during medical consultations, as well as supporting calm environments that benefit patients’ well-being and the workflow of healthcare providers alike
- Kaiser Permanente
- Adventist Health
- MultiCare
- Providence
- St. Charles Healthcare
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Asante
- CHI Franciscan
- Virginia Mason
- PeaceHealth
EDUCATION
Your students deserve to learn/grow/be educated in classrooms with optimized speech intelligibility, free from excess building systems noise and other distractions.
- University of Washington
- Washington State University
- Stanford University
- Seattle Public Schools
- Tacoma Public Schools
- Mount Vernon Public Schools
- Spokane School District
- Job Corps
- Yakima Valley College
- Seattle Community Colleges
- Lake Washington Technical College
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
Our team guides you through the acoustical codes and design standards necessary to meet the acoustical needs of your residents in a competitive housing market. We can audit your existing communities to identify opportunities for improvement and turnover reduction while reducing noise complaints.
- Bosa Development
- Westbank
- MultiCare
- Build Urban
- Innovative Housing
- Dali Development USA
- Mack Urban
- Touchmark
- Bellwether
- Plymouth Housing
GOVERNMENT
Finding the balance between design specifications, field-testing requirements, and the end user’s needs can be difficult to navigate. Our work with national standards is a resource to the design and construction teams to ensure we provide a project that meets the specification.
- U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
- General Service Administration (GSA)
- WSDOT
- Washington State Patrol
- City of Hillsboro
- Clackamas County
- Seattle Public Utilities
- City of Bellevue Fire Department
- Seattle Fire Department
INDUSTRIAL
We engineer effective noise control solutions through an assessment of the sources of noise, the risk to the staff, and the opportunities for remediation. We work with your staff to develop a step-by-step noise control plan to meet your OSHA and corporate safety goals.
- Georgia Pacific
- Kenworth
- Costco
- Honeywell
- Trident Seafood
- Genie Industries
- BP
- Millapore Sigma
- Seattle Genetics
ACOUSTIC TESTING
Our experienced team of engineers helps develop and evaluate the acoustical testing standards adopted by the industry. We support clients big and small to help them understand their noise and vibration performance.
- Acoustic Performance Commissioning
- Footfall Noise (hard-flooring testing)
- Sound Isolation
- Sound Power (in-situ)
- Photo-enabled Sound Intensity
- Speech Privacy
- Noise Code Compliance
- Sound & Vibration for performance specifications
HOSPITALITY
We work with national chains and boutique proprietors on new facilities and the remediation of existing buildings/issues. Our team will review your performance specifications and your facility goals to develop a holistic acoustic design or remediation plan for your facility. This often includes a review of environmental noise from traffic and airports, noise and vibration impacts from fitness facilities, sound isolation between rooms, and optimizing the function of amenity spaces.
WORSHIP
These spaces can be some of the most challenging for acoustical design because they require a careful balance for both speech and music. Developing a plan that respects the acoustical needs of the community, the history of the faith community and their aesthetic vision requires collaboration to develop a unified solution that balances these elements.
Questions? Projects?
