Steve Thorburn (engineer/acoustician)

Steven J Thorburn, PE, LEED AP, CTS-I, CTS-D (born September 24, 1962) is an architectural acoustics and technology expert, technical designer and the co-founder of Thorburn Associates, a technology engineering and acoustics company. Thorburn is a leader, educator and spokesperson in the building, audiovisual and themed entertainment industries. He and his firm have been recognized with multiple industry awards and honors, from such entities as the AIA (American Institute of Architects), ICIA/InfoComm and the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). He is co-author of The Basics of Audio and Visual Systems Design: Revised Edition , an established resource for the audiovisual industry.

He has directed a significant body of project work that exemplifies the modern interdependence of technology design, acoustics design, digital media and energy efficiency with architecture in the design and construction of educational facilities, office buildings, retail, cultural institutions and entertainment venues. Notable recent projects include the San Francisco Federal Building and De Anza College Performing Arts Center.

Education and Professional Certification

A native of Evart, Michigan, Thorburn manifested an early interest in music, theater and sciences, and in his college work emphasized the technical side of those interests. He graduated from Michigan Technological University (MTU) with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Electro-Acoustics and Liberal Arts, Technical Theater and Lighting Design, having put himself through by working as a grocery clerk, DJ, projectionist and master electrician for the university theater.

In 1989 he obtained his professional engineering license from the State of California (PE 13159, 27 January 1989), and subsequently obtained his licensure from nine other states (Arizona PE 34990, Illinois 062-054816, Minnesota PE 213389, Michigan PE 46612, North Carolina PE 25217, Oregon PE 66950, Ohio EE 65890, South Carolina PE 21186, Washington PE 37191). He founded Thorburn Associates in 1992 with his partner, Lisa Thorburn.

Industry Leadership

Thorburn has contributed to many industry education programs and played a leadership role in professional groups endeavoring to support quality standards, innovation, good business practices, information exchange and dialog. In the mid-1990s he was a founding executive board member and officer of the Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA, now part of GSCA, the Giant Screen Cinema Association , serving the 70mm special venue film and cinema community). LFCA's mission was to facilitate dialog between producers, vendors and exhibitors and to move the industry forward at a time of considerable flux: the embrace of 3D, digital tools and diverse source materials, and the crossover into mainstream exhibition.

Thorburn was instrumental in founding the ICIA ICAT Council (ICAT is Independent Consultants in Audiovisual Technology, and ICIA is the International Communications Industries Association/ InfoComm) a very active group with numerous initiatives to strengthen and serve the audiovisual community and its client base. Thorburn was ICAT chair for four years (1995–99) and since 1998 has been active in the ICIA PETC (Professional Education and Training) committee, which conducts numerous education, training and certification programs. In 1996, he was named InfoComm Educator of the Year.

In 2008 Thorburn became president of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), where he has been an active member since 1993 and also served as secretary and treasurer. TEA supports excellence in international projects for entertainment and education, bringing together developers, operators, designers, architects, producers and vendors through such programs as the annual SATE conference (Storytelling-Architecture-Technology-Experience) annual TEA Summit and the Thea Awards .

Acoustically Integrated aRchitecture

As director of engineering at Thorburn Associates, Thorburn has overseen the design and engineering of more than 1,800 projects, and in that role has helped define the practice and coin the term of Acoustically Integrated aRchitecture (AIR). He and his firm work to influence the building and construction industry through the advocacy of this holistic best practice which, recognizing that the foremost purpose of buildings is to foster human community, seeks the optimal interface of disciplines for a result that supports the specific intended uses of the building. AIR is applied by envisioning a structure and its systems as a whole in which architectural elements are aesthetically and functionally integrated with the technical systems that are essential components of today's buildings, but also represent significant sources of noise: HVAC, mechanical systems, reinforced audio, and plumbing. The goal is a high-performing, human-made environment that facilitates community, communication and interaction.

Written Contributions

In addition to his co-authorship of The Basics of Audio and Visual Systems Design, Thorburn is a prolific editorialist who has contributed some 100+ articles about acoustics, business practices and technology for trade journals and online publications. Thorburn's words have appeared in Systems Contractor News , Blooloop , Archi-Tech , LF Examiner , the TEA Annual , Church Solutions and InPark Magazine . Notable pieces include How Would YOU Like to Spend the Day Inside a Pinball Machine? (with Randy White) , Digital Cinema or Film? , Safe Disposal of Green Rhetoric .

He is currently writing a new book about architectural acoustics, scheduled to be published in 2010.

Honors and awards

References

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