De Werkplaats in Bilthoven is one of the Netherlands’ first primary schools without any classrooms, where pupils and teachers work in an open learning environment. “The success of such a concept largely depends on good acoustics,” says architect Kees Willems of Teeuwisse & Willems architects. In one corner we see a group of children watching […]
acoustics
Sound and the senses at the centre of the design process
It’s refreshing to see an architectural graduate student who has used sound and the senses as key components that drive the architectural concept. Those of us who work in the industry are far too used to seeing acoustics being considered late in a project or not at all. In this article, we hear from Ashlea […]
Our podcast goes In Pursuit of Silence
Sound can be described as having an “invisible presence” but is this negative or positive? If your neighbour is having a party and you want peace and quiet, your perception of the sound you are hearing is very different from theirs. Within this fifth podcast, we discuss how silence can be the means for us […]
UNESCO hosted ”The sound for a new urbanism” conference
Each year in France “The Week of Sound” / “La Semaine du Son” pulls together a series of events that constitutes a vast range of knowledge, practical know-how and information about sound and the importance of the quality of the sound environment. It has a transversal – cultural, medical, industrial, educational and economic – approach and is recognised to […]
Sound schools: the importance of good acoustics
When we speak, we push air from our lungs, which continues up through the neck via the vocal chords, which in turn vibrate and create sound. The sound continues on via the nasal cavity and oral cavity, creating sound waves that are released into the room. These sound waves are received by someone’s ears via […]
Sound and school design from three architects’ point-of-view
In this post, we have collated three architects’ views on the role of sound in designing school buildings. The listening architect Architects focus on sight, as this has been quoted by giants such as Aristotle, Vitruvius, Palladio and Corbusier as “the noblest of all arts”. In other words, sight has been perceived by many as the […]
Inclusive acoustic learning environment appreciated by the whole class!
Following a great response a few years ago after doing lectures about acoustics in learning environments at Comfort Audio’s four Academies in Denmark, Mai-Britt Beldam and Comfort Audio decided to do a project together – to find out what would happen if optimum room acoustics is combined with great hearing products for kids with hearing […]
Activity-based design and acoustics at the workplace designers’ office
Practising what they preach When you walk into Oktra’s new head office, you know immediately something is different. The design team here have struck a unique balance of buzz and serenity and created an inspiring workplace experience. If Oktra couldn’t get it right, who could? They are, after all, workplace designers creating effective spaces for […]
Designing a sound Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Neonatal Intensive Care A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a place that is never quiet. It is filled with medical equipment, incubators, babies and staff. The background noise constantly exceeds 50 dB, which is equivalent to hearing the ongoing sound of a refrigerator or of light traffic. Sometimes the noise peaks up to 70-75 […]
An Indian architect’s perspective on indoor acoustics
Our Indian office acoustics specialist, Manit Ramaiya has interviewed experienced architect Zainab Mukadam Baig from leading architectural and interior design firm Concept Architectural Services. Not too unexpected, she explains that there are quite some cultural differences when comparing Indian offices with western counterparts, but did you also know that Indian architects face challenges like lack […]
