ABSTRACT
While sound insulation dealt with the control of noise transfer from room to room or from inside to outside, room acoustics is a different area of intervention that designers may fi nd themselves involved in. Acoustics is concerned with the quality of sound inside a space and the provision of the best conditions for the production and reception of sounds for performance purposes. It is often described as an art. However in order for the ‘artist acoustician’ to be successful, they need to match their creative imagination to some technical know how. This chapter will introduce some of the technical aspects of acoustics to allow the reader to:
Understand the mechanisms of sound behaviour in rooms. These ● include, absorption, refl ection and reverberation. Appreciate the effect of space geometry (form, shape, size, etc.) on ● the quality of sound. Familiarise themselves with the general requirements for good ● acoustic performance.
