Outdoor audio
There is more leeway when designing an outdoor project that includes audio components. The advent of specialized computer design programs allow for fairly precise placement of speakers, subwoofers, and underwater components. It becomes quite difficult to balance outdoor sound systems while trying to cover large expanses of open pool water.
Quite often, backyard projects are designed with little or no regard for subsequent audio installations. Therefore, it is critical to bring in a qualified audio designer early on, especially for luxury or estate projects.
In some cases, pillars, planters, or wall penetrations may be needed to incorporate an intricate network of speakers capable of creating an exciting sound experience. In an ideal world, the subwoofers are buried, placed in planters, or hidden in walls or cabinets that are designed to accommodate these features. Hiding speakers can be a daunting chore when trying to incorporate them after the project is completed. An easy and tempting quick fix is to incorporate faux garden rock speakers; however, these systems rarely sound or look nice.
Another benefit to incorporating an audio system in the initial backyard design is to avoid overlooking the massive amount of cables required to drive speakers, control systems, and subwoofers—not to mention the specific location for various audio components. On large projects, for example, thousands of feet of conduit must be installed before the concrete is poured. It is not cost effective to tunnel, chip, bore, core drill, or bury the wires later. Quite often, the audio crew shows up at the end of the job, which is way too late to hide these components, resulting in a substandard visual and audio installation.
Further, most audio components are highly sensitive to heat, cold, and moisture and, thus, need to be contained in an environmentally controlled space. Therefore, an outdoor sound installation needs the input of a competent audio company right from the get-go to ensure a successful, cost-effective installation.
Outdoor pool projects also often incorporate loud water features (e.g. sheers and waterfalls). If the builder explains the potential auditory levels of these features in advance of construction, there should be no problems. In some cases, more subtle water features such as wet walls, small sheers, spillways, and foam jets provide an acoustic alternative and are less obtrusive. Even a 0.3- to 0.6-m (1- to 2-ft) wide sheer built a few feet above the water can be incredibly loud in a small residential backyard. When designing an outdoor space it may be appropriate to create a Zen-area with no speakers and very little sound—other than trickling water—to form a tranquil oasis in the client’s backyard.
To ensure this goes off without a hitch, it is wise to design all of the acoustic elements of an outdoor space well in advance of the construction process. The pool and landscape designer, architect, audio expert, electrician, and construction team all need to communicate well in advance of breaking ground to complete the project successfully.
| ADDING A FLOATING TELEVISION |
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 Televisions have become a de riguer component of many outdoor projects—from a simple, flat screen TV brought outside for a special event to sophisticated outdoor televisions designed for all-weather use. This author recently designed and installed a large-scale pool project which incorporates a dual widescreen television that rises from the surface of the pool water and rotates at the touch of a button. The unit raises via a lift, installed by FM Audio in Brantford, Ont., housed in a waterproof bunker located below the surface of the pool. |
