We all have activities that we enjoy doing outside our daily work routine.  Some may be related to what we do professionally and others not at all.  Yet sometimes there is an activity that combines your talents and skills, provides meaning and value and you simply love to do it.  This is the case for Vance Breshears – Principal in our San Diego office.  Vance currently serves as a Search and Rescue Volunteer with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.  For the past 2 years Vance has spent many weekends training with the technical rescue team. This team of dedicated volunteers is primarily responsible for all search and rescue missions involving lost or stranded persons within the unincorporated areas of the County and other local jurisdictions. The team is also trained as Disaster Service Workers.

Over the years, the Sheriff’s SAR Detail has grown tremendously. Currently, the organization has over 200 volunteers that contribute countless hours of their personal time. In excess of 20,000 man-hours and 250,000 miles in their privately owned vehicles are donated each year. In dollars and cents, this adds up to saving the county of San Diego $425,000 annually. Here at Acoustics Dimensions we are proud to have Vance serve as part of this organization.

It is rare that a building takes over 100 years to finally "top off," but the new Bramall Music Building did just that this week completing the crescent of buildings at the University of Birmingham. As part of a larger project funded by philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, the project paused when money ran out before the final building was built. But now, over 100 years later, the final building in the redbrick crescent takes its home.

Acoustic Dimensions is working with Glenn Howells Architects on the project which houses a 450-seat auditorium, a domed rehearsal room, music studios, offices and teaching spaces to support the University’s strong music program. 

While Glenn Howells Architects are known for their innovation in modern architecture, in this case they followed the intent of the other buildings in the crescent which were designed by Sir Aston Webb, who served as President of the Royal Academy from 1919 to 1924.

Collaborative Tech Systems Design Workshop from Acoustic Dimensions on Vimeo.

In building construction, topping out occurs when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. For significant projects, a topping out ceremony is often held to commemorate the event.