Some spaces are not primarily designed with an acoustical function, but acoustics impedes other functions: these spaces are just too loud. The acoustical requirement for noisy spaces, such as cafeterias, work spaces, gymnasiums, and pools is straightforward: make them less noisy. There are two ways to accomplish this goal:

1. isolate the space from noise sources;
2. reduce reverberation.

It is always better, if possible, to control noise by removing a noise source. In the case of a cafeteria or gymnasium, however, the largest source of noise, people in the space, can’t be removed. However, there may be other sources of noise that can be removed to make these spaces quieter, such as air-conditioning units and – very common – drink vending machines with loud, built-in refrigerators.

Changing room surfaces to reduce reverberation is often the only practical solution for quieting a noisy space. The basic problem is to determine how to get in as much sound-absorbing material as possible at a reasonable cost while preserving aesthetics.

Examples

Danzante Flamenco Studio

Reading Hospital Community and Doctors' Office

Townsend Hall Renovations

The Volcano Club

Doylestown Inn

Goninan & Company, NS C30-7A Locomotive noise measurement

Hersha Construction

York Imaging Center MRI sound isolation

Norlanco MRI vibration measurement

Penn State Neonatal Intensive Care Unit vibration isolation measurements

Lancaster General Hospital Orthopedic Center Atrium