Research & Development

In-house research

MDA has a dedicated in-house research group that coordinates a wide range of development and research projects.

These projects draw on the unique skills and experiences of our team members spanning across offices and countries.

Examples of the types of projects we have worked on include software tools such as INSUL and IRIS, as well as numerous investigative studies ranging from the acoustic applications of finite element analysis to efficient signal processing and numerical analysis techniques.

The group also oversees the development of in-house calculation tools for room acoustics, noise transmission and mechanical services noise, and is responsible for maintaining our collection of technical databases and reference material.

Our aim is to share knowledge and undertake research projects that are pivotal to the acoustics and built environment industries. The group meets regularly to discuss the progress of current projects and to explore emerging ideas.

R&D Trust

The MDA Research and Development Trust was established in New Zealand and Australia to fund new R&D projects determined to be of benefit to the MDA group and its employees.

Internal proposals for R&D projects are reviewed by the Trust based on merit regarding the betterment of MDA’s technical knowledge and expertise as well as funding of research and scholarships in the field of acoustics.

Some examples of past and present projects include:

  • Graduate Training Program: to provide a structured training program for graduates

  • Nightingale Project: to ascertain whether people living in shared community conditions (e.g. Nightingale developments) are more tolerant of acoustic conditions

  • VR Training Videos: a series of videos for use in training MDA staff by immersing themselves in an interactive VR model

  • Real-time Feed-back Simulation: to establish a sophisticated prediction model of the acoustical phenomenon the ‘Lombard Effect’; the involuntary tendency to speak louder to be heard and understood when in a noisy environment or wearing headphones