Thorburn Associates Inc.

09/02/2026

Project Highlight: Peppervine Restaurant

Peppervine, a restaurant located within the Piedmont Town Center of Charlotte, NC underwent a renovation of an existing 8,000sf space. Nestled on a prominent corner within a mixed-use development, the restaurant space had upscale condominium units located directly above and a neighboring retail tenant, separated by a south demising wall.

Distinct from traditional fine dining, this restaurant exudes an inviting atmosphere. A key objective of the owner was to foster effortless and casual conversations for patrons at each table. To achieve this, particular attention was given to acoustical treatments. With high ceilings, the primary concern rested upon mitigating sound accumulations during busy hours. Thorburn Associates reviewed the architectural drawings and provided recommendations to control excessive reflective and reverberant sound. The acoustical elements applied were not only functional but also seamlessly integrated behind the lighting and other interior design features. Thorburn Associates creates designs to increase intelligibility, especially at the entrance of this restaurant to give a grand first impression of the space.

Additional recommendations were provided by Thorburn Assocaites regarding the food service equipment, the HVAC, and the audio system layout to ensure that vibration levels were at a minimum. In the end, Thorburn Associates harnessed the science of sound to create a pleasing dining experience for all guests to enjoy.

08/25/2026

Design has a voice in shaping how our communities grow. Two members of our team, Nelson Alaniz and Karen Ballard joined architects, designers, and local leaders for Building Conversations: Architects and Local Leaders, a roundtable focused on the future of the Durham community.

When design has a seat at the table, we can help create communities that are not only functional, but thoughtful, accessible, and built for the people who live and work in them. Thanks to AIA Triangle and CITYBUILDER for hosting this event and bringing the design community and local leaders together.

08/17/2026

Thorburn Associates is a design and engineering company founded in 1992 to provide architectural clients both acoustical consulting and audiovisual system engineering from one firm.

In 2021, Thorburn Associates welcomed Kalen Larson as the new Managing Principal, bringing a fresh perspective and renewed leadership to the firm.

With the expansion of services to include growing technologies and lighting design in addition to top quality support, our continued growth is assured. The firm’s success is rooted in our belief of close cooperation and adherence to the highest professional ideals.

We've put together a team of highly qualified, creative individuals that provide our clients with innovative, cost effective designs.

TeamWe've put together a team of highly qualified, creative individuals that provide our clients with innovative, cost effective designs. Kalen LarsonManaging PrincipalPhilip ZumbrunAssociate PrincipalDwight ReidBusiness Development AssociateAnette BrattebergBusiness Development AssociateKaren Balla...

07/29/2026

Project Highlight: William C. Overfelt High School
San Jose, California

Located on the campus of W.C. Overfelt High School, the existing 3,200sf building required a modernization/transformation to create a new administrative wing.

The project also included the addition of an approximately 24,000sf steel-framed performing arts center. The new building houses a 200-seat theatre; classrooms for music, art, photography and drama programs, including an 80-piece band room and a photo lab with a dark room.

After a review of the architectural drawings, Thorburn Associates helped define acoustical design goals and made recommendations for background noise levels from the mechanical systems, reverberation time in the Recital Hall, Band Room and conference spaces, and room acoustics and sound isolation between acoustically sensitive areas.

A theatrical audiovisual system including projection, recording capabilities and a distributed audio system was designed for the theatre. AV systems for the band and drama rooms as well as the conference room were also included.

07/16/2026

Project Highlight: The Sullenberger Aviation Museum is a modern facility located next to the runway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, comprising of three distinct structures – a Welcome Center, a Main Gallery covering an area of 42,000sf, and a pre-existing Metal Hangar.

Given the facility’s proximity to the runway, special attention was paid to minimizing exterior noise transmission to the more acoustically sensitive areas such as the offices, classrooms, and meeting spaces.

To achieve this, Thorburn Associates conducted an on-site acoustical assessment, collected data, and presented recommendations to mitigate sound disruptions caused by nearby aircraft movements.

07/06/2026

Project Highlight: Campbell University Convocation Center, Buies Creek, North Carolina

Thorburn Associates redesigned the audio system for the John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center. This 3,200 seat facility is used as the University basketball arena, for convocation ceremonies, and for other functions throughout the year.

Thorburn Associates determined how to best utilize existing audio equipment and infrastructure with new technology to outfit the arena with a reliable, quality sound system.

We determined optimal speaker count and layout to provide the best coverage and clarity for the space. Networked audio was added to provide increased quality and flexibility in signal routing and monitoring.

The design was supplemented by an acoustical analysis that resulted in acoustical finish upgrades in key locations to control the lively environment.

06/23/2026

We provide clients with quality acoustical consulting, technology system engineering, and lighting design services.

06/17/2026

Project Highlight: The Golf House Pinehurst in North Carolina is a USGA world-class golf innovation hub consisting of two new buildings: the Visitor Center and the Testing Center + Administration.

The buildings include an equipment testing facility, innovation hub, museum/visitors center, offices, and conference rooms. Collectively, the spaces total approximately 44,000sf. Thorburn Associates provided acoustic and vibration consulting services and audiovisual/low voltage technology design.

As part of the technology design, Thorburn Associates provided audiovisual system designs for conference rooms and meeting spaces. In addition, Thorburn Associates provided telecom and security system designs for the entire project. The design team met with the owner's representatives and determined the technology system functional requirements, defined the end-user’s needs and developed a preliminary budget for the technology systems.

Throughout the construction, Thorburn Associates conducted multiple visits to the site to determine if all the acoustical and technology recommendations were properly implemented.

The USGA has created a visitor friendly, interactive experience preserving the game of golf, its history, and the legacies of those who have made the game what it is today.

06/12/2026

Project Highlight: Wilmington Convention Center in Wilmington, North Carolina

The Wilmington Convention Center is a 93,000sf convention center.

For the acoustical design, we provided room acoustics, mechanical noise and vibration control, and sound isolation as required for the convention center, hotel, and parking garage.

For the audiovisual system design, we provided design services for the Exhibit Hall, Grand Ballroom, Junior Ballroom, Board Room, five Meeting Rooms, and the Pre-function spaces.

05/25/2026

All gave some; some gave all. Thank you to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.