Acoustical Design for Biophilic Soundscaping

Biophilic soundscapes feature the sounds of nature to boost occupant health, wellness, comfort, and productivity in nearly any type of room or space. Whereas sound masking is limited to hiding noise, soundscaping aims to bring the additional benefits of intentionally healthy sounds—biophilic sound, in this case—to the human environment.

Proper acoustical design is essential for end users to realize the full benefits of biophilic soundscaping. Considerations include mitigating environmental noise intrusion, managing mechanical system noise control, ensuring sound isolation between neighboring areas, designing room acoustics to sculpt a desired sonic environment, and contributing to space planning and programming as they relate to the creation of intelligent acoustical mapping for soundscaping zones.

This course will help architects understand the benefits of biophilic soundscaping to human health, wellness, comfort, and productivity, and learn how acoustical design supports and enhances the sonic environment for soundscaping in different types of spaces. The course will also help architects determine the appropriate project phases in which to engage an acoustical consultant to plan and design a space or building for biophilic soundscaping, and how certain acoustical design elements are specified for projects that include biophilic soundscaping.

• Understand the benefits of biophilic soundscaping to human health, wellness, comfort, and productivity.
• Learn how acoustical design supports and enhances soundscape technology in different types of spaces.
• Determine the appropriate project phases in which to engage an acoustical consultant to plan and design a space or building for biophilic soundscaping.
• Learn how certain acoustical design treatments are specified based on the goals of a biophilic soundscaping project.