About Us

MEZZO Stüdyo is an acoustical design and consultancy firm that combines expertise in acoustics, engineering, architecture and interiors to aid the design process in creation of acoustically comfortable, pleasant and performance-specific spaces. The company was founded in 2009 in Technopolis of Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey) by Zühre Sü Gül (MSc RPI 2006, PhD METU 2015) and Mehmet Çalışkan (PhD NCSU 1983).  MEZZO priorities cutting-edge research in fields of interest -including room acoustics, building acoustics, noise and vibration control, environmental noise control, acoustical material science- and strives to provide state of art acoustical consultancy with emphasis on the code of ethics and seeks perfection within financial and technological limits.

Development and adoption of new methods in architectural acoustics through novel approaches have led MEZZO to be a pioneer. Apart from R&D projects, as of 2022, more than 300 consultancy projects have been completed. A variety of building typologies not limited to but includes congress and entertainment venues; educational buildings; health, science and R&D facilities; worship buildings; cultural heritage and historic buildings; hotels; offices and residential -mid to low rise- buildings; mixed-use towers; retail stores and malls; sports arenas; transportation terminals and industrial buildings.

Our motto “empowered by innovation” coupled with our ethical stand and sound communication with different design teams in realizing a project is the pure reason for the success, wherever we are in the world.

Mezzo Stüdyo strives to provide state of art acoustical consultancy with emphasis on the code of ethics and seeks perfection within financial and technological limits. We discretize project phases and procurement steps properly. As an independent consultant, our concentration and support to our clients include development of technically proper and economical design ideas and solutions. Acoustical product options, in our perspective, should be free from brand names, unless certain number of brands are required for very specific applications. For this reason, we prefer to specify in detail the system and material characteristics, for opening up the path of free and flexible choice for client, as a major company policy which is also emphasized by the worldwide body of independent acoustical consultants, that is, National Council of Acoustical Consultants.

  • to pioneer in the application of novel approaches in acoustical design,
  • to conduct research and development in the area of acoustics and other relevant fields,
  • to apply research findings into products for practical uses,
  • to establish exemplary acoustical design practices locally, regionally, and internationally,
  • to publish research findings and disseminate research findings in academic community,
  • to pioneer in education of students in fields related to acoustics through summer practice programs as well as holding seminars in specific areas,
  • to support development of innovative tools and implementation of innovative ideas on subject matter,
  • to help promote awareness against noise in the society.

From Mezzo Stüdyo’s perspective, acoustical design of architectural spaces should aim to optimize environments for numerous functions; including business, recreation, learning, worship, communication, broadcasting and entertainment. Room acoustics design introduces shaping and sizing of architectural elements, volume adjustments, acoustical detailing and defining finishes and materials in line with the assessment and evaluation of acoustical comfort parameters.

Within that scope according to the typology of building complex, reverberation control recommendations for noise sensitive and noise generated spaces such as conference rooms, event spaces, meeting rooms, foyer/lobbies, dining halls, lounges, and restaurants are provided. Typical and most critical parameter in consideration is the reverberation time (RT). The parameter takes different values in accordance with functional requirements, volume and the size of the audience/user. Music performance halls necessitate a much-detailed analysis and design, as acoustical parameters that needs to be controlled include not only RT (or T20, T30) but also EDT, C80, LF etc.  

Advice on room shape, form, geometry, and/or materials to achieve the interior acoustic quality based on intended use(s) of spaces should be carefully studied in collaboration with the design team. Within the company ODEON Room Acoustics software is frequently used in acoustical simulations as a reference room acoustics software wherever needed. After optimization studies, locations, sizes, total areas and acoustical properties of sound absorptive, reflective and/or diffusive surfaces are determined. Acoustical design of spaces is carried out to optimize all the relevant acoustical parameters associated with the space. System details, materials, geometry, form and dimensions including seating and internal design arrangements are specified in the light of these optimized acoustical characteristics. Acoustical details are provided wherever necessary.

Two major issues of sound insulation are airborne sound insulation and impact noise isolation that are of priority essentially in multi storey residential and commercial building projects. Sound transmission and impact isolation classes are assessed by related computational tools with respect to international or local building codes. Project specific design of sound isolation details are one of major tasks within our scope.

To give some more specifics; performance of the building envelope and separating constructions between different program (function) of spaces are evaluated. The critical adjacencies vary in accordance with the building typology, some examples are guestrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, meeting rooms, executive office and as such. Sound isolation characteristics of building elements including façade, walls, ceilings and/or floors are assessed with respect to Noise Control Guidelines. The sound transmission class (STC/Rw/Dntw) estimations for airborne sound isolation and impact isolation class (IIC) are held by software options like INSUL, BASTIAN or SONarchitect software. With regards to typical adjacencies, alternative solutions are developed for improvement of structure borne sound or impact noise isolation characteristics of building elements like floor/ceiling assemblies, considering typical adjacencies. Sound isolation and insulation details are provided for critical isolated assemblies. Necessary door sound reduction ratings are set and door sections and details are investigated. Façade systems and glazing details are analyzed. Independent laboratory tests are required from manufacturers where necessary.

Mechanical room design, in MEZZO Studio’s scope, includes floating floor, sound isolation wall- and-ceiling assembly specifications together with design of floor slab and base structures for sensitive equipment. Machinery acoustics focuses on noise control of airborne and structure-borne sound transmission and vibration isolation measures to reduce (or eliminate) the transmission of dynamic forces to the building structure due to mechanical equipment such as air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems, rooftop units, chillers and cooling towers, central plants, electrical and plumbing equipment.
 
Noise control and vibration isolation design for Mechanical-Electrical-Plumbing (MEP) systems are carried out regarding equipment technical specifications and the nature of the environment that noise and vibration propagate. For MEP engineers to design and incorporate noise control and vibration isolation, the following information are provided:
  • detailed design recommendations to the MEP engineer for spaces rated less than NC30
  • general guidelines for spaces rated NC30 or higher
Limits for tolerable/allowable background noise due to external and internal causes are well defined in terms of spectral noise criteria specified for each functional use of space. Measures to reduce service equipment related background noise are specified in the context of the project. Means are studied and advised to isolate air-borne and structure-borne noise below acceptable limits due to mechanical noise and vibration. Details with regards to material, configuration, composition and geometry are to be provided based on compliance with international standards. Measures to reduce vibration levels below acceptable limits set by international standards are to be advised. Material, configuration and technical specifications of vibration isolation systems are to be determined to comply with the requirements in relevant documents like Mechanical System Report. For critical penetrations such as duct, shaft penetrations, sound isolation details are to be developed.
 
Noise emission from both indoor or outdoor technical facilities/rooms due to equipment such as AHUs, Chillers, Cooling Towers, Boilers, Ventilation Units, Pumps, Generators, Transformers, etc. is studied and simulated in order to estimate noise levels both in the source rooms and noise sensitive receivers. Noise transmission through ductwork breakout, supply and return diffusers is also studied to determine noise levels at noise sensitive spaces or facades. Necessary precautions on the equipment (silencers etc.), on the path (duct liners, sizing of ducts etc., noise barriers) or on louvers (acoustical louver, muffler design) are to be advised in order to meet allowable background noise limits defined in codes/standards.
 
In addition to mechanical noise and vibration control, MEZZO Stüdyo assists industrial acoustics and noise control to optimize communication and limit worker - exposure in the workplace - typically in manufacturing or other heavy industries. Additionally; environmental noise analysis including transportation, industry, recreation and residential, commercial development and entertainment facilities are assessed by collaboration with an accredited environmental noise test laboratory as listed in the collaborators list of our company.

Material R&D

Acoustical material research and development has been an important motivator in formation of MEZZO Stüdyo company profile. Unique materials for unique experiences have been the motto of the Company for both room and building acoustics materials. More specifically interior finishes, decorative elements and construction units are treated as fertile resources for developing creative and responsive ideas in resolving acoustical issues indoors and outdoors. There exist couple of utility models that the company owns on special sound scattering and absorptive devices. But in addition to that the academic researches and the graduate students supported by the company have prolific outcomes ranging from meta-materials to sustainable, biodegradable organic acoustical materials that are designed specifically to be used in building construction industry. More information can be found in our website under Publications.

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