Architectural Design and Sound

In order for architectural design to be effective, one of the most important factors to take into consideration is the acoustics of a room. Since we are such visually oriented creatures, it is easy for us to forget about he importance of sound in our every day lives, and how architectural design can have an important effect on the way that sound travels. Here are some things to think about with regard to the acoustics of a design.

If possible, acousticians should be involved in the process from the very beginning. Overlapping sound waves need to be avoided so that certain areas of the sonic spectrum are not dampened out and interfered with.

Another one of the most important things to watch out for is sound reflection. It is important to realize that any straight surface will reflect sound back into the central space of the area. With proper architectural design, these surfaces can be angled and placed in such a way that they will not reflect sound in a way that is distracting.

Acoustical treatments are one of the most important things to take into consideration when designing a room to be satisfying to the ears as well as the eyes. This is because of the fact that certain materials absorb certain frequencies of sound and reflect others. If the right materials are chosen, a room will be much more comfortable to the ears. The sounds reflected by building materials are just as important as the colors.

Noise control is another important aspect. Systems such as heating and ventilation need to be taken into consideration and placed in areas where they can be insulated so that disruptive sounds are minimized. This is one of the most important elements.

Echoes need to be minimized to the greatest extent possible. One of the things that architectural designers need to take into account is the fact that if the same sound is heard within thirty milliseconds of the original sound, it is not perceived as an echo. If it is heard after a period of more than thirty milliseconds, it is heard as an echo, and not part of the same sound.