# Design Brief for Classroom Sound Panels

The fabrics for the panels need to be:
1) transparent and breathable -- fabrics should be unbacked and **acoustically transparent**
a) If a fabric is thick, plush, or has a high thread count, it is likely NOT acoustically transparent
b) you should be able to breathe through it without resistance and see lightly clearly through it
3) functional -- need to be able to be pulled tight without losing their shape or ripping
4) aesthic -- acrylic and polyester are good choices, as are 50% polyester blends


**Websites that have inexpensive polyester:**

[Fabric.com](https:/https://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashion-fabric-shirting-fabric-polyester-fabric.aspx/) (owned by Amazon)
[Denver Fabrics](https:/https://www.denverfabrics.com/c3981_apparel-fabric-polyester-fabric/)
[Vogue Fabric Store](https://www.voguefabricsstore.com/Fabric-By-Content/Polyester-Fabric/Polyester-Prints/)

Potential Collections of Fabric:
[Vogue Style Polyester Twill ](https:/https://www.fabric.com/collection/vogue-style-polyester-twill-solid)(comes in 22 different bright colors)

*For example, from this collection, we could cover the wall panels in the following fabrics/colors:*


**One caveat** - while this fabric is VERY inexpensive (less than $4/yard), it may make the most sense to buy a small amount and try it out to see how it affects sound absorption before covering all of the panels.

To cover the panels, we could likely just staple or hot glue the fabric in place.

**Second Option of Sound Panels Design**
- using large PVC foam boards to cover the sound panels.

Advantages over fabrics:
- easy to install, no sewing needed
- easy to replace and change to new design
- inexpansive: approximately 4 large panels and 1 small panel to fill the edges. [Foam board purchase link (the store sells individual panel rather than a pack)](https://www.utrechtart.com/items/13202-1225/)
- (usually the price for an average quality cotton is around $15/yard and 54' of width. It is very likely the $4/yard fabric is low quality and with much narrower width. Buying fabrics is more expansive than purchasing foam board.)
- reflexive design choices: we can use black, white or grey foam boards as background, and lay student's work on top of the foam board. Or laser cut a design pattern or even a Bok Center logo on top of the foam board.

**Third Option of Sound Panels Design**
- artifical grass on top of foam or wood board
- natural moss on top of foam or wood board (moss don't die)
[How to make moss wall video demo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJUaAf1View)
[How to make moss wall video demo 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70d9hFrXK4w)
[moss purchase link](https://www.amazon.com/SuperMoss-21598-Moss-Preserved-Approx/dp/B006XNETVY/ref=asc_df_B006XNETVY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=194014373664&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3645581185477238833&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001999&hvtargid=pla-312978121862&th=1)
[moss purchase link 2](https://www.amazon.com/Preserved-Cushion-Natural-Decorative-Green-B/dp/B093R58QMH/ref=asc_df_B093R58QMH/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=521521902892&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18181412428628648964&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001999&hvtargid=pla-1313489692065&psc=1)

**Fourth Option of Sound Panel**
- shear curtain over wall

**Fourth Option of Sound Panels Design**
- fabric panels
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