Founded by Sam Berkow in 1986, SIA Acoustics is an award-winning acoustical/facility design and consulting firm specializing in performing arts venues, as well as a wide variety of facilities that require critical listening environments and noise control. Sam Berkow is also the founder of SIA Software, which developed the SIA-Smaart system of acoustical measurement and sound system optimization. Berkow has joined Robert Derector Associates Consulting Engineers as a principal, adding his knowledge and expertise related to acoustical design to the wide range of professional engineering services that are offered by RDA.
“I’m very impressed with RDA's engineering experience and expertise,” Berkow says. “Their work ethic is perfectly aligned with how we operate at SIA, which is why it makes sense to join their team. We both focus on addressing the challenges our clients face, provide attentive service, and find practical solutions that help our clients to meet their goals.”SIA Acoustics is known for successful, high-profile installations on every scale, from stadiums to concert halls to top music-production facilities. SIA’s recently completed projects include the SF Jazz Center; Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas; Airshow Mastering in Boulder, Colorado; Tonality Studios in Takoma Park, Maryland; eTown Hall in Boulder, Colorado; The Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas; and The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City. SIA Acoustics has also served numerous corporate and educational clients, designing solutions for controlling noise in offices, telecommunication centers, and classroom environments.
RDA has been providing professional engineering services globally for more than 38 years. With a staff greater than 140, RDA specializes in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, telecommunications, mission-critical, and energy/sustainability projects. The company has provided services to Associated Press, NHL, Cadillac, Time Inc., and many more corporate clients.
Leading to the acquisition, RDA president Robert Derector says that his firm launched a search to add an acoustical consultant to the practice in response to numerous client requests. “We found there’s a demand for a mechanical-electrical group and an acoustical group to be part of one company under one roof,” he says. “We set out to find an acoustician to join forces with us. When we met Sam and the SIA Acoustics team, we knew we had found the right partners, and we are excited to make them part of RDA.”
Going forward SIA Acoustics will be known as SIA Acoustics – A Division of Robert Derector Associates, and Sam Berkow and his staff, will relocate their business to RDA’s offices in New York City.
“Our existing clients will see the same attention to detail and quality service they always have, but now we’ll be able to provide that service more efficiently with greater support and more resources,” Berkow says.
For RDA, adding acoustical design and consulting services is a natural extension of the engineering firm’s existing practice, and RDA expects clients to see more streamlined schedules and improved coordination. “All of our divisions will work together more seamlessly with everyone together on the premises,” Derector says.
www.siaacoustics.com | www.derector.com
