Kehl Associates Silences Gander Guns
Ryan Chooses Kehl for Gander Mountain Acoustics
Ryan Companies, design-build construction company for Gander
Mountain's pilot Gun Academy in Lake Mary, Florida, brought Kehl
Associates on board for acoustical design for this project. The acoustical
challenge was to design a cost effective means of providing sound
isolation for the Live Firing Range, such that gun noise would not be heard
in the Gander retail shopping space which was adjacent and connected to
the Gun Academy.
The new Gun Academies at Gander Mountain offer firearms training to the
public featuring live firing ranges, virtual firing ranges, and computerized
scenario simulators identical to those used by the police and military.
Gander Mountain executives wanted an open, inviting entrance to the
Gun Academy from the retail store, such that shoppers would be drawn to
the Gun Academy but not hear it. This goal intensified the acoustical and
architectural design challenge. Kehl Associates created computer models
simulating the sound impact of various high powered hand guns in the
Live Firing Range. The models simulated materials for acoustical isolation
and absorption, comparing various construction methods and acoustical
treatments against construction costs.
Evaluation and design of the Live Firing Range walls, ceiling, and viewing
windows were some of the key tasks accomplished by the Acoustical
Consultants. The acoustical team also prescribed room finish materials
and STC’s for the academy’s Lobby, the Classrooms, the Virtual Firing
Range, and the Training Simulators. Floor decouplers were prescribed for
the Large Simulator to keep vibrations from the simulator floor “rumblers”
from reaching the retail shopping space. Kehl’s acoustical design
incorporated into Ryan’s architectural design met the goals set forth by
Gander Mountain. The project was such a success that Gander duplicated
the design at multiple facilities around the country.
ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS DESIGN is one of the specialty design services offered by Kehl Associates.
We provide acoustical design services for all types of facilities.