Nowadays, people spend over 90% of their waking hours indoors (especially at homes, and the office). The impact of acoustics has major implications on users in work environments, which are meant to support the intellectual tasks of knowledge workers. Acoustics is one of the most important factors affecting the productivity and comfort of employees. Therefore, employee comfort cannot be underestimated as it affects concentration, performance, and productivity. However, controlling acoustic conditions in modern buildings has become increasingly challenging, especially in buildings dominated by open-plan layouts. Studies indicate that approximately 70% of employees are dissatisfied with the acoustic environment in their workplace. However, architects seem to be still partially overlooking this important matter, even if they devote increasing attention to building certifications, most of which include some control of acoustic performance. This study aims to bring at the forefront the role of architects in the field of acoustics and office acoustics. It does this, first, by collecting and analyzing sustainability protocols that should serve as guidelines for acoustic sustainability and acoustic quality in buildings and offices to support dialogue and formal commitment between the various stakeholders involved in the planning, in particular BREEAM, LEED, and WELL. In more detail, the aforementioned sustainability protocols and standards are carefully examined, with a particular focus on the acoustic aspect. Subsequently, a critical analysis if the different protocols and their effects on user well-being is provided through careful review of: various scientific studies comparing certified and non-certified office buildings (as offices typically seek certifications) or those with dual certifications, accompanied by corresponding user evaluation surveys. Eventually, this work highlights the gaps and challenges faced by architects and suggest a novel approach to office acoustics. This approach is meant to be tailored to architects or aspiring architects who have not had the opportunity to delve deeply into a crucial aspect of architectural design: acoustic design. This approach aspires to provide them with the chance to explore the subject and gain practical insights into how acoustic parameters are researched, categorized, and applied.
Oggi, le persone trascorrono oltre il 90% delle loro ore di veglia al chiuso, soprattutto in casa e in ufficio. L'impatto dell'acustica ha importanti implicazioni sugli utenti negli ambienti di lavoro, che sono pensati per supportare le attività intellettuali dei lavoratori del sapere. L'acustica è uno dei fattori più cruciali che influiscono sulla produttività e sul comfort dei dipendenti. Pertanto, il comfort dei dipendenti non può essere sottovalutato in quanto influisce sulla concentrazione, sul rendimento e sulla produttività. Tuttavia, controllare le condizioni acustiche negli edifici moderni è diventato sempre più sfidante, specialmente negli edifici dominati da layout a pianta aperta. Studi indicano che circa il 70% dei dipendenti è insoddisfatto dell'ambiente acustico sul luogo di lavoro. Tuttavia, sembra che gli architetti stiano ancora parzialmente trascurando questa importante questione, anche se dedicano sempre più attenzione alle certificazioni edilizie, la maggior parte delle quali include un certo controllo delle prestazioni acustiche. Questo studio mira a portare in primo piano il ruolo degli architetti nel campo dell'acustica e dell'acustica negli uffici. Lo fa, innanzitutto, raccogliendo ed analizzando i protocolli di sostenibilità che dovrebbero fungere da linee guida per la sostenibilità acustica e la qualità acustica negli edifici e negli uffici per sostenere il dialogo e l'impegno formale tra i vari stakeholder coinvolti nella pianificazione, in particolare BREEAM, LEED e WELL. In dettaglio, i suddetti protocolli e standard di sostenibilità vengono esaminati attentamente, con un particolare focus sull'aspetto acustico. Successivamente, viene fornita un'analisi critica dei diversi protocolli e dei loro effetti sul benessere degli utenti attraverso una revisione accurata: vari studi scientifici che confrontano edifici per uffici certificati e non certificati (poiché gli uffici cercano tipicamente certificazioni) o quelli con doppie certificazioni, accompagnati da corrispondenti sondaggi di valutazione degli utenti. Alla fine, questo lavoro evidenzia le lacune e le sfide affrontate dagli architetti e suggerisce un approccio innovativo all'acustica negli uffici. Questo approccio è pensato su misura per gli architetti o gli aspiranti architetti che non hanno avuto l'opportunità di approfondire un aspetto cruciale della progettazione architettonica: il design acustico. Questo approccio aspira a fornire loro la possibilità di esplorare l'argomento e acquisire conoscenze pratiche su come i parametri acustici vengono ricercati, categorizzati e applicati.
The acoustic environment in certified buildings : an introduction to acoustic design and the implementation of sustainable protocols with emphasis on sound performance
Brunetti, Giovanni
2022/2023
Abstract
Nowadays, people spend over 90% of their waking hours indoors (especially at homes, and the office). The impact of acoustics has major implications on users in work environments, which are meant to support the intellectual tasks of knowledge workers. Acoustics is one of the most important factors affecting the productivity and comfort of employees. Therefore, employee comfort cannot be underestimated as it affects concentration, performance, and productivity. However, controlling acoustic conditions in modern buildings has become increasingly challenging, especially in buildings dominated by open-plan layouts. Studies indicate that approximately 70% of employees are dissatisfied with the acoustic environment in their workplace. However, architects seem to be still partially overlooking this important matter, even if they devote increasing attention to building certifications, most of which include some control of acoustic performance. This study aims to bring at the forefront the role of architects in the field of acoustics and office acoustics. It does this, first, by collecting and analyzing sustainability protocols that should serve as guidelines for acoustic sustainability and acoustic quality in buildings and offices to support dialogue and formal commitment between the various stakeholders involved in the planning, in particular BREEAM, LEED, and WELL. In more detail, the aforementioned sustainability protocols and standards are carefully examined, with a particular focus on the acoustic aspect. Subsequently, a critical analysis if the different protocols and their effects on user well-being is provided through careful review of: various scientific studies comparing certified and non-certified office buildings (as offices typically seek certifications) or those with dual certifications, accompanied by corresponding user evaluation surveys. Eventually, this work highlights the gaps and challenges faced by architects and suggest a novel approach to office acoustics. This approach is meant to be tailored to architects or aspiring architects who have not had the opportunity to delve deeply into a crucial aspect of architectural design: acoustic design. This approach aspires to provide them with the chance to explore the subject and gain practical insights into how acoustic parameters are researched, categorized, and applied.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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Brunetti_Giovanni_Thesis_Submitted.pdf
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Descrizione: The Acoustic Environment in Certified Buildings
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/215728