Frank Gehry | Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

The spacious Activities Center underneath the apparently collapsing dome has gained the main architectural attention, and it is indeed full of surprises. For one thing, it has unexpectedly sensitive acoustics for a space 75 feet high, which is the result of the Swiss-made acoustical coating called BASWAPhon. Because of the room’s wraparound design, the walls, by and large, are in easy reach of human hands and leaning shoulders—and I’m told that this could be a problem. It turns out that the surface is sensitive to touch and requires re-patching for acoustical integrity. Although a wooden floor margin and baseboard have been installed around the room’s circumference to discourage touching, whether this will suffice is questionable. The Center’s staff report no problems so far.......more at metropolis