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Designed to please the eye as well as the ears


Architects are under increasing pressure to ensure the comfort of building occupants – particularly regarding acoustics. Will Jones of Ecophon discusses how acoustic solutions can be included within the design of the building without sacrificing the aesthetic


F


rom sales of activity trackers to the growing interest in mindfulness and other stress-relieving activities, it is clear that health and wellbeing is becoming firmly embedded within the public consciousness. It is of little surprise then that the wellbeing discussion has taken root within the construction industry too, with occupant comfort being increasingly prioritised by specifiers in all sectors. Established in 2014, the WELL Building Standard is gaining ground as a certification for architects looking to design spaces that support and advance human health and wellness. Developed by integrating scientific and medical research on environmental health, with leading practices in building design, construction


WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK


and management, the standard places a welcome emphasis on acoustic design – recognising that poor noise control can seriously hamper the wellbeing, and performance of, a building’s occupants. We are all familiar with the frustration that nuisance noise can cause, but the potentially harmful effects it can have on our health are perhaps less well known. In addition to the general annoyance, nuisance noise can also have far more serious consequences, potentially including hearing impairments, cardiovascular issues through stress, cognitive impairment and unwelcome metabolic effects, as well as resulting in decreased mental performance and lower productivity.


Specifying effective acoustic solutions at ADF APRIL 2019


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