The Newman Fund organizes an annual Student Design Competition in architectural acoustics.  The competition is announced in late fall/early spring each year, and is typically judged at the spring meeting of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA).  It is supported by the Robert Bradford Newman Fund, in conjunction with the ASA’s Technical Committee on Architectural Acoustics and the National Council of Acoustical Consultants, with generous financial support from the Wenger Foundation.

The Student Design Competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students in the disciplines of Architecture, Engineering, Physics and other curricula that involve building design and/or acoustics. This competition is intended to encourage students to express their knowledge of architectural acoustics and noise control in the design of a facility in which acoustical considerations are of significant importance.

The submitted designs are judged by a panel of practicing design professionals. The panel typically includes acoustics consultants and may include architects and theater consultants. Entries are evaluated on technical merit, design vision, adherence to the design scenario and program requirements, and effectiveness of presentation.

An award of $1,400 will be made to the individual or team whose entry is chosen as “First Honors”. Commendation awards of $900 will be made to four other outstanding entries. Awards are made possible through a grant from the Wenger Foundation and by the Newman Student Award Fund. Wenger has generously agreed to fund the awards annually in memory of the firm’s founder, Harry Wenger, who was a long-time friend of education in music and in architectural acoustics.