When open-plan spaces were introduced into commercial interiors, they were expected to be an egalitarian, democratizing influence: it was imagined that they’d level organizational hierarchies, encourage workers to collaborate and improve performance. Now that the open plan has been in widespread use for more than 30 years, its inherent disadvantages are better known. This course addresses the plethora of acoustic terminology that is commonly used in architectural design solutions, the differences between them and why they are all important when it comes to understanding how to design for optimal acoustics in open spaces. Through the examination of workplace research and case studies, it asks designers to consider an innovative new acoustic interior design element that can dramatically increase workers’ satisfaction and productivity: acoustic lighting.
Learning Objective 1:
Differentiate between various acoustic terminologies and understand how these apply to different materials acoustic design solutions
Learning Objective 2:
Learn the optimal sound levels for different activities and room types and be able to specify acoustic solutions to achieve optimized sound levels when designing for different spaces
Learning Objective 3:
Improve project delivery outcomes by examining the impact acoustics can have on employee health and well being in workspaces, and how to mitigate stress and noise-fatigue.
Learning Objective 4:
Examine tested case studies of acoustic lighting applications, and assess the impact that it can have on room reverberation times and the ultimate usability of a designed space