Better acoustics

Designing room acoustics that are well-balanced and adapted to the type of building makes occupants more productive, happier and healthier.
FAQ
How do acoustics affect us?
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Quality of sound in a building depends on:
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exterior noise (nearby traffic, neighbors, ...)
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interior noise (music, phone conversations, ...)
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impact noise (footsteps)
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sound vibrations through the structure
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equipment noise (ventilation systems, electronic equipment, pipes, elevators, ...)
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Effects of noise on an individual depends on:
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predictability and familiarity of the sound
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controllability of the sound
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personal attitude and sensitivities
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information on the contents of the sound
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necessity for the sound
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How do bad acoustics affect your health?
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Potential health effects of prolonged exposure to noise: cardiovascular diseases & elevated blood pressure (for prolonged exposure above 55dB), mental health problems, sleep disturbances (if night noise above 40dB on average)
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16,000 premature deaths in Europe each year caused by environmental noise
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Social cost of noise in France: 156 billion euros per year, 16.9% of which from neighbourhood noise and 13.5% from work-related noise
How does it impact our concentration?
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In the office:
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66% fall in staff performance as a result of distracting noise
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Level of "speech privacy" is the leading complaint in offices everywhere
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15 minutes are needed to regain concentration after being distracted from a difficult task by unwanted noise
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5 distractions over an 8-hour day equals to a 15% reduction in productivity
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In school: students need to be able to hear their teacher and not be disturbed by other noises
How to design for better acoustics?
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Better acoustics depend on the acoustic characteristics of the building fabric (acoustic transmission and absorption)
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In design, need to take into account a variety of external and architectural factors:
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Types of noise to be managed
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Spectrum of noise to be managed (low or high frequencies)
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Construction system and materials
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Building's activity: sleeping, working, teaching, healthcare, ...
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How do we act?
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Plasterboard linings to reduce airborne noise
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Insulation solutions to reduce impact noise from above and below
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Absorbing acoustic ceilings and panels to control room noise
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Sound insulating glazing