At EIAS 2023 we were lucky to be joined by Toar Sadia, Senior Inclusive Design Consultant at Buro Happold. Toar gave an interesting and insightful talk on the importance of the design of quiet spaces. And the views and preferences of neurodivergent populations for design aspects of the space. Neurodivergent populations A quiet space (sometimes […]
research
The Influence of Acoustics on People featuring Neurodisorders
Dr Marco Caniato – Free University of Bozen in Italy presented this paper at EIAS2023. The influence of acoustics on people featuring neurodisorders. State-of-the-art and new perspectives As recently by the World Health Organisation, the percentage of people in the world suffering from neurodisorders, neurocognitive or neurodevelopmental disorder (as referred and described in the Diagnostic […]
Acoustics and Air Quality – The Impact on Student Concentration and Fatigue
At EIAS 2023, findings from the former ISF (institute for interdisciplinary school research) and Gerhart Tiesler were presented by Rainer Machner. The research was initiated in 2005 by public discussion of air quality in offices and schools. One pattern for the research we found in “Handbuch der Schulhygiene” (handbook of hygiene in schools), 2nd edition […]
The large Epidauros Theatre – how did it sound with an audience and skene?
For practical reasons, most measurements of acoustics in ancient Greek theatres are made without an audience. Under those conditions much of the sound reaching the listener is in the form of reflections from the curved stone risers that form the seating. These reflections would be attenuated or eliminated by the audience. Let´s explore the Epidauros […]
Listening tests: linking objective room acoustic parameters with subjective human perception
Daniel de la Prida from Carlos III University in Madrid presented about his study into listening tests. He focussed on tests that can be used for linking objective room acoustic parameters with subjective human perception. Such tests have been in use for many years. However, different research usually employs different test protocols, with different operational […]
Acoustic metrics for innovative learning environments
Acoustics included as part of a major education research project Amanda Robinson has been a key researcher gathering acoustic metrics for innovative learning environments and she presented the findings at EIAS2023 this year. Traditional acoustic parameters are often used to describe the environment within learning environments. These include metrics such as ambient sound levels, reverberation […]
Optimal reverberation time in classrooms (Italian schools)
Arianna Astolfi Associate Professor at Politecnico di Torino, Department of Energy Torino, Italy has worked with acoustics since 2000. Optimal reverberation time in classrooms in Italian schools is her latest initiative. The study background and scope Arianna shared her thoughts and findings from a large study of Italian classrooms. This was specifically motivated to see […]
The effect of sound absorbers and diffusers in ordinary public rooms
Introduction Emma Arvidsson, Researcher and PhD ”Acoustic Design with Regard to Human Perception” presented her recent Phd study at EIAS2023. She focused on the objective and subjective aspects of acoustic design in ordinary rooms. Aiming to optimize room acoustics and examining the effects of different sound absorbers and diffusers. ‘Acoustic design plays a crucial role […]
Despite meeting the regulations, satisfying sound environments are not achieved in Danish hospitals
A “must-hear” presentation on satisfying sound environments for all legislators, architects, acoustics engineers, builders and hospital staff. This is how we would describe the presentation entitled “A holistic assessment of sound environment in hospitals” by Hannah C. W. Jakobsen (Ramboll Denmark) during the Ecophon International Acoustics Seminar 2023. Satisfying sound environments The presentation summarized a […]
Sensory design for age and dementia-friendly environments
‘Show of hands, who believes buildings can make you sick?’ ‘Show of hands, who believes buildings can make you feel better?’ At EIAS 2023 Laura Arpiainen (M.Arch. Professor, Health and Wellbeing Architecture at Aalto University, Finland) spoke about sensory design, focusing on age and dementia friendly environments. When thinking about buildings for healthcare, the first […]
