Re: Common House Sound Proofing
From: Laura Fitch, A.I.A. (lfitchkrausfitch.com)
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 07:45:01 -0600 (MDT)


Elizabeth Stevenson wrote:

A centering exercise might work in a yoga class, but I don't see it working
at a common meal, unless, perhaps it's a common meal at a monastery!
I'm not sure what is meant by a "centering exercise", but if it is anything like our "circle" than it CAN work at a common meal.

Around 6 o'clock folks at Pioneer Valley Cohousing gather in the common house, sit by the fire, hang out in the hall, check mail, play in the kids room etc., until the cooks call out "circle time". Then there is a general movement towards the dining area, and we gather in a circle to hold hands. It is usually a brief "circle" in which the cooks tell us what we will be having - what will be on the tables, and what dietary alternatives are available at the pass-thru. Then there are announcements (this is my mother visiting from...don't forget the garden committee meeting tomorrow night...has anyone seen a black sweater...). Then IF the cooks are so inclined they may choose to close the "circle" with a quick song, blessing, thank you, etc. (referrals to deities are frowned on by some, so usually avoided but not prohibited). Some cooks just want folks to get to the meal while it is hot and keep the "circle" really short.

The interesting thing is that, we never had any policy about "circle time", it was something that the cooks starting doing, it caught on, it worked, and everyone seemed to like it. The kids were never required to join in, and usually didn't. That was the part that didn't really work - they would often be jumping on the furniture right next to the "circle". At some point I asked a few other parents if they wanted to join me in requiring our kids to join circle. There was no community policy - just a family by family decision. If circle worked somewhat before, it really worked after families pulled their children in and asked them to join and be quiet.

It is fabulous to gather together and see each others faces before we eat. I cannot imagine our community without "circle time" before dinner.

This is not to say that acoustic treatment is not critical - it is essential! We used Armstrong "nubby" panels, which I have been told by an acoustic engineer are the best bang for the buck!

--
Laura Fitch, A.I.A.
Principal Architect

KRAUS-FITCH ARCHITECTS, INC.
110 Pulpit Hill Rd.
Amherst, MA  01002
413-549-5799
413-549-7918 (fax)

lfitch [at] krausfitch.com




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