ABSTRACT
Comfort is defined as ‘a state of physical ease’ (Oxford Dictionary). The definition may seem straightforward, but achieving a state of physical ease is a complex task. Comfort is affected by many parameters including temperature, humidity, air movement, air quality, lighting, noise, culture, habit, personal preference, the ability to control the environment, clothing and activities. Buildings can determine many of the physical parameters listed above and influence some of the psychological parameters. There is guidance on how to design buildings that are comfortable, but it is constantly changing. In terms of certain aspects such as noise, guidance and regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, while in respect to thermal comfort, the past couple of decades have brought a shift towards a more comprehensive, but also more flexible, approach to creating comfortable spaces. Sources and levels of sound https://www.niso.org/standards/z39-96/ns/oasis-exchange/table">
Sound pressure level (dB)
0–10
Threshold of hearing
10–20
Insulated broadcasting studio
20–30
Bedroom at night
30–40
Library
40–50
Living room in suburbia
50–60
Typical business office
60–70
Normal conversation at 1 m
70–80
Average traffic on main road at kerb
80–90
Inside bus, noisy office
90–100
Inside underground train
100–110
Noisy factory, motorcycle
110–120
Pneumatic drill
120
Threshold of pain
130–140
Jet engine at 30 m, hydraulic press
