ACOUSTICS


remedial work, rather than part of an initial build programme, building and use constraints, and existing items on the ceiling, may affect the quantity of product that could be installed, and that the addition of sound absorption on the walls would be limited. However, it was felt that even if slightly less product was applied, it would still have a noticeable improvement on the room acoustics. There were also limitations on which rooms could be acoustically treated. In other areas where there was a particular challenge with reverberant sound affecting users, the HTM requirement was treated as a minimum standard, and additional absorption was installed to further enhance the room acoustics within the space. Information and standards from education for SEN pupils and sensory design were used as guidance for this.


Impact-resistant, direct-fix ceiling There is often a specific requirement within mental health settings for an impact-resistant, direct-fix ceiling system (no grid) in white, to meet safety, sensory, and ligature requirements. For this project it was decided that this offered the best solution, and an Ecophon Super G B (glued) sound absorption Class A absorber was chosen. This was installed mainly to ceilings, but in some areas the same panels were added at high level on the walls. We returned to site while product


was being installed, and the difference between corridors with sound absorption and corridors without absorption was immediately noticeable, with less sound reflection providing a more pleasant, calmer, less intrusive, sound environment. This was particularly noticeable when moving between the rooms. It was best in spaces where sound absorption had been added to the ceiling, but also at high level to the walls. A St Andrew’s Healthcare


representative said: “Both patients and staff gave positive feedback about how the acoustic panels have made such a huge difference. The noise level has significantly dwindled with the application of Ecophon panels.”


Individual preferences Moving forward from achieving a good sound environment that meets general requirements, the next steps would include looking at options that meet an individual’s preferences – for example offering a choice of spaces with different acoustics as well as a different visual feel is helpful, particularly if linked to an activity taking place. This helps reinforce the purpose of a space, and offers choice and control. Sensory refuges between stimulating


spaces, such as small quiet corridors between activity spaces, and the addition of pods or quiet rooms, can be really helpful to people who are hypersensitive to the sound environment, or those wanting a space to aid concentration.


28 In specific corridors, panels were added at high level on the walls, in addition to the ceiling.


People are more annoyed when they cannot control the noise the hear. Offering control over what you


listen to and when, and how you listen is important, particularly with music; one size does not fit all. Making music, creating lyrics, and singing, have all been shown to be therapeutic for many people, but it is important that the sound does not spread.


Andrea Harman


Andrea Harman MSc is Concept developer for Healthcare for Saint- Gobain Ecophon. She has worked in the field of room acoustics for over 25 years, ‘helping to create enabling spaces that acoustically link the needs of the user with the activity taking place’.


She is active in developing the connection between noise, sensory impact, and affected well-being, with a research and investigation focus on positive design for people living with physical or mental illness. From this framework she writes, presents, and works to promote inclusive and enabling sensory design, particularly in relation to sound.


NOVEMBER 2022 | THE NETWORK An area of current research is into the


positive impact of sounds of nature on health and wellbeing. Currently this is being developed in offices, but we know the positive impact of biophilia in the design of healthcare spaces, and so it will be interesting to investigate this within a care setting.


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