Crafting spaces of harmony: elevating the building’s occupants’ experience
The silent killer – a paradoxical term for something that is everywhere, yet often overlooked. Sound, in all its facets, and particularly noise pollution, exerts a profound influence on our health. In Belgium alone, around 300 people die prematurely each year due to noise. And in Europe, this number is estimated to be 12,000 according to the European Environment Agency.
Evolving Importance of Acoustics
Nurturing well-being through design
The importance of acoustics is rightfully growing day by day. A pleasant acoustic environment in spaces and buildings has a direct positive impact on our well-being. For clients, architects, and engineers who integrate acoustic comfort from the very beginning of the design process, the benefits extend beyond mere construction. They create environments that enhance user satisfaction, promote productivity, and elevate the overall experience of occupants. Who could oppose that?
Navigating the depths of Acoustics Design
When talking about building acoustics, you may think first of the acoustic correction of a space, i.e. the treatment of reverberation by means of acoustic panels on the wall or ceiling. Understandable, as these are directly visible elements.
Maximizing investment returns: investing in long-term value
In reality, this aspect of reverberation is only one part of good acoustics management in a building. Effective acoustics design is not only about dealing with echoes, but also about ensuring an appropriate background noise level per space while protecting users from intrusive noise from inside and outside the building.
Embracing the five pillars of Acoustic Design
Optimizing operational efficiency: streamlining the construction process
The design of building acoustics is addressed in five distinct but interrelated aspects:
- Protecting Against External Noise: Building envelope, external joinery
- Isolating Sound Between Rooms: Floors, walls, and interior joinery
- Limiting Impact Noise on the Floor: Floor complexes, building structure, floor coverings
- Controlling Echoes and Reverberation: Shapes, volumes, finishes
- Limiting the Noise of Technical Equipment: Inside and outside the building: ventilation system, location of installations, etc.
Harnessing the synergy of acoustics and design
These five aspects work in synergy, just as acoustics interacts with other design expertise. Because the acoustic design of a building touches on all construction expertise, requiring coordination and consultation with architecture, M&E engineering, structural engineering, façade engineering, fire safety, and sustainable design. Integrating acoustics into an architectural project can be complex, but it doesn’t need to be complicated if these aspects are anticipated and coordinated from the beginning of the project. Moreover, it is much more cost-effective to start with a space layout that takes into account acoustic programming than have to design complex and expensive solutions afterward.
Understanding Acoustical Aspects and Design
Empowering informed decision-making: guiding you through expertise
We want to ensure that the design team has a good understanding of the acoustical aspects and the consequences of certain design choices. To this end, in addition to project-based support, we regularly offer information sessions related to building and environmental acoustics.
Adapting to new architectural trends
Anticipating tomorrow’s challenges
It is crucial today to adapt our solutions and approaches to meet the increasing complexity in building design, due to current urban and architectural trends and the need to incorporate sustainability. These trends include:
- Urban densification
- Clean and raw aesthetics
- Sustainable materials and lightweight construction
- Modular design
- Open and shared spaces
In summary, acoustics design isn’t just about addressing noise. It’s about crafting environments that resonate with comfort, productivity, and satisfaction. By embracing acoustics as a cornerstone of design, we pave the way for a harmonious built environment, one building at a time.