GUIDELINES FOR ACOUSTICAL DESIGN OF THE CONTEMPORARY OFFICE BUILDING

Abstract

"Acoustics" is a science of sound, which deals with origin, propagation and auditory sensation of sound, and also with design & construction of different building units to set optimum conditions for producing &listening speech, music, etc. It is one of the new environmental sciences that have just become a recognized and respected discipline within the past half century. Every space that man occupies possesses an acoustical environment. In recent years there has been an increased interest in office buildings, factory spaces and dwellings when the acoustics is of concern. Open office system came in existence (because It provides functional flexibility of spaces than enclosed offices by using moveable partitions or systems furniture to form individual workspaces, the initial cost for open office environments is less than that for enclosed offices, It promotes transparent planning in order to increase the employee's interaction which leads to work efficiency and reconfiguration can be done rapidly at minimal cost) causes problems of acoustical inefficiency. It is acknowledged that reducing noise levels in the living environment of people does improve the quality of life and also contributes to an improvement in health. Sound is an old as the command "let there be light". But the knowledge to control sound is a new concept of science, still not complete, still dependent upon consolidation. Every architect should be knowledgeable enough to protect himself and his clients from acoustical surprises in his complicated buildings. In present-day building practice, the enonnous increase of noise levels and noise sources means that the acoustical performance of a building will ultimately depends upon the attention given by the architect to acoustical requirements in designing, detailing, specifying, and supervising the project. Architects have responsibility to design functional and safe environments. It is very difficult to meet these goals without considering acoustics. Acoustics is essential to the functioning of almost every type of environment, from open offices to worship centers.