The AIA Dallas and the Architecture and Design Foundation (formerly DCFA) converged in a new space, located in the epicenter of Dallas, to form AD EX, the Architecture and Design Exchange. The goal of the space was to deliver a multi-use environment that could both serve the public and the local architecture and design community, while showcasing the latest in innovative interior products and materials. The first floor is to be used for public-facing programs, including a Design Learning Lab for hosting school groups, workshops, meetings or other private and public events. The second floor is designed for the new AIA Dallas headquarters consisting of administrative offices and conference rooms.

Working within the parameters of an existing building was a challenge, especially with limitations which included an odd-shaped layout, large amounts of glass, and low ceilings. To bring continuity to the entire space while taking the existing elements into consideration, the low ceilings were removed, resulting in an open structure that caused reverberation issues.

To mitigate reverberation issues and address the lighting needs of the space, the Seem 1 Acoustic luminaire and baffle system was selected for both the first-floor training room and second-floor conference room. The system is specifically designed to improve human comfort and resolve noise and illumination levels in commercial environments.  Connor Pierce from Omniplan, the architecture firm leading the design, stated “Seem 1 Acoustic helped us achieve the cleanliness of having one system to answer both lighting and acoustics. We were working with odd-shaped spaces and needed to fine-tune the lengths and Seem 1 Acoustic was able to provide that. I don’t think we would have been able to find another system that could do that in such a clean way.”