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The Importance of Acoustics in The Design Phase: Architectural & Acoustical Solutions

The document discusses the importance of considering acoustics in the design phase of construction projects. It notes that acoustics impact health, safety, productivity, comfort and the functionality of a space. Poor acoustics can cause hearing loss, headaches and stress. It also reduces productivity and makes spaces uncomfortable and difficult to use for their intended purpose. The document emphasizes that acoustics must be accounted for in the initial design phase, as correcting issues after construction is more expensive and can compromise aesthetics and design. Failing to consider acoustics in design can increase costs and liability for architects and designers.

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Sahaj Mitra
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49 views18 pages

The Importance of Acoustics in The Design Phase: Architectural & Acoustical Solutions

The document discusses the importance of considering acoustics in the design phase of construction projects. It notes that acoustics impact health, safety, productivity, comfort and the functionality of a space. Poor acoustics can cause hearing loss, headaches and stress. It also reduces productivity and makes spaces uncomfortable and difficult to use for their intended purpose. The document emphasizes that acoustics must be accounted for in the initial design phase, as correcting issues after construction is more expensive and can compromise aesthetics and design. Failing to consider acoustics in design can increase costs and liability for architects and designers.

Uploaded by

Sahaj Mitra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Importance of Acoustics in the

Design Phase

Architectural & Acoustical Solutions


Welcome to the acousticsin.com continuing education unit on
the importance of acoustics in the design phase.

At the completion of this tutorial, you will:

 Become familiar with essential interior acoustic principles.

 Be more aware of potential acoustics issues.

 Realize the importance of accounting for acoustics in the


design phase of your projects.
When designing a space, a responsible design professional must
consider many factors in addition to aesthetics.

 Health & Safety

 Productivity

 Comfort & Human Factors

 Functionality
Health & Safety
Today’s design professional must take the health and safety of their
installers and end-users into consideration. Doing so is the mark of a
responsible professional

 Hearing loss is the number one


disability in the world…nearly 55
million Americans suffer from
hearing loss to some degree.

 With nearly 30 million workers


exposed to potentially hazardous
noise levels on the job, hearing loss is
one of the most common
occupational hazards…and is 100%
preventable. Additionally, employees
that suffer from hearing loss are 55%
more likely to have a workplace
accident.
Noise has also been linked to a number of ailments
other than hearing loss, including:

 Headaches

 Digestive Issues

 Ulcers

 High Blood Pressure

 Stress

 Heart Problems

 Respiratory Ailments

 Negative Fetal Development


Productivity
Numerous studies demonstrate that noise is the #1 inhibitor to productivity.

Reduce distractions and increase productivity by accounting for acoustics.

Statistics

9%
20% Lighting
71% Air Quality
Noise

The most valuable asset to almost every company is its people. On


average, labor is 100 times more expensive than energy. If a designer
can help improve productivity by even a couple percent, they could
save enough money to pay for energy for the entire building!
Noise severely impacts the education process.

In one particular study, the reading achievement scores of


students near noisy train tracks were significantly lower than
those of the students on the quieter side of the school.
Comfort

Noise is frequently the cause of irritating uncomfortable or even


oppressive environments. People can be dissatisfied with an
acoustically poor space and not even know why.

…painfully noisy restaurants…

…conference room with annoying reflections…

…cafeteria with overwhelming reverberation…

…lecture halls where its difficult to understand speech…

Just because nobody complains does not mean the project was
a success.
Did you know that exposure to excessive noise isn’t only
annoying it can also cause:

 Anxiety

 Stress

 Antisocial Behavior

 Hostility

 Violence
Functionality

Imagine…you’ve spent months on a project and it is finally


completed. You ‘re excited, it looks great…How do you
expect your client to react?

“Why would an architect make it look so nice, but then you


can’t use it.”
 Library

 Museums

 Dispatch rooms

 Healthcare Facilities

 Classrooms

 Boardrooms

 Lecture halls

 Courtrooms
 Restaurants

 Lobbies

 Cafeterias

 Food Courts

 Airports

 Educational Facilities

 Government Facilities

 Public Spaces
 Open Office

 Call Centers

 Meeting Areas

 Recording Studios

 Concert halls

 Practice rooms

 Performance spaces
 Doctors Office

 Human Resources

 Police Facilities

 Consulting Office

 Worship Centers

 Theaters

 Clubhouses

 Multipurpose rooms
Summary
Whether you are working on a recording studio, concert hall
or lobby (and anything in between), you need to consider
acoustics…

In fact, we challenge you to name a type of space for which


acoustics does not need to be considered.
By this point, the need to consider acoustics clear. It’s time to
answer the question, “When?” You really have only one chance
to consider acoustics for optimal results…in the design phase.
Sure you could wait until after the space is constructed to “test”
the acoustics, but by that time, remedying the situation is not
easy. Accounting for acoustics in the design phase is cost
effective. Allows for a wide range of product options and
product options and protects the aesthetics of the space.
You MUST consider acoustics in the design phase. Why?...

 Reduce Costs: Correcting an acoustic issue after construction is always


more expensive.

 Don’t Sacrifice aesthetics: Correcting an acoustic issue after that the


design phase is not only costly but could compromise the design
concept and aesthetic value of your project.

 Limit your liability: Architects and designers are being held accountable
for a acoustic issues not addressed in the design phase.

 Protect your Clients: Poor acoustics can cause discomfort and even lead
to health and safety issues.
Architectural & Acoustical Solutions
BANGALORE - INDIA

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