General Forum

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

Bieele — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:17:23 GMT

I also live in a "modern" building. Lots of concrete and glass.

Luckily we have soft material on the floor and soft furniture. Still I also thought about improving the acoustics looking for absorbing materials. This site has a nice product, nice looking acoustic panels, unfortunately the site is only in Dutch:

http://www.akoestiekwinkel.nl/offecct_soundwave.html

Bieele

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

vikinger — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 02:01:00 GMT

horstlederer:

" style="width: 100px; height: 100px" title="absorber panel" width="100" />

Hallo Comunity, In my case I solved my acoustic problems, with the "absorber panels"

You can print any picture you want.

If anybody is interested, please let me know.

hlederer@tele2.at

Looks like a good approach that can easily be adjusted to vary the acoustics!

If you had traditional framed paintings you could also place pads of material (including carpet or carpet underlay) behind the paintings.

From what I can recall of my (limited) acoustic studies you also need fairly high density (but soft surface) materials if you are concerned about trying to contain the sound within a room (so as to limit effect on neighbours or the rest of the house etc.)

A few pieces of the right kind of furniture will make a big difference to the acoustics in an otherwise hard-surfaced room.

The trend for laminate floors seems to now be reducing with carpeting coming back into favour........ makes a huge difference to the acoustics of any room.

Graham

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

horstlederer — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:06:07 GMT

Fore somebody who has similar needs:

http://www.archiexpo.de/prod/carcoustics/bedrucktes-deko-akustik-wandpaneel-62094-165328.html

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

beocool — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:42:29 GMT

By the way: I removed a chair in my typically modern hard surfaced and scarcely furnished living room (in a medieval house) for re-upholstering yesterday. The change in acoustics is immediately noticeable. Just an example of the enormous importance of this issue.

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

horstlederer — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:41:26 GMT

" style="width: 100px; height: 100px" title="absorber panel" width="100" />

Hallo Comunity, In my case I solved my acoustic problems, with the "absorber panels"

You can print any picture you want.

If anybody is interested, please let me know.

hlederer@tele2.at

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

beocool — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:38:18 GMT

Dave Moulton:
This thread raises a really important issue.

Architects and interior designers seem to be generally oblivious to acoustical issues, to a point where there is a college level acoustics textbook entitled "Deaf Architects & Blind Acousticians," by Robert Apfel.

Barry Blesser, inventor of the digital reverb, has written a book called "Spaces Speak, Are You Listening?" (MIT Press). He is now embarking on an ear-training project (and, yes, I am involved) to teach lay people (such as BeoWorlders, architects, interior designers, building contractors and psychologists) to hear and recognize both the physical sound qualities of spaces and also the emotional and psychological effects of such sound qualities.

If Barry's project gets off the ground (I think it will), I'll keep you posted.

Happily, there are a number of inexpensive and reasonably invisible treatments that can be used that will dramatically enhance the acoustical and living quality of residential spaces. My research has lead me to a number of insights about how best to do this, and every now and again I get an architect willing to put some of this into practice. Right now, I'm consulting on a new house for a retired pianist in New Mexico, who wants lots of glass for his views as well as great acoustics for his piano. An interesting job!

Anyway, threre's hope!

Merry Christmas, everybody!!

You are so right. I can tell because I'm trained as an architect (I do not work in that field, apart from the odd assignment, though) The master programme for architecture at the TU Delft in the Netherlands where I had my education is divided in four segments: architecture, building technology, real estate and urbanism. And you've guessed acoustics can be part of building technology. You used to get some basic education in acoustics in the bachelor programme, but I believe it's not part of the programme anymore. It's possible to graduate in both architecture and building technology however.

Glad there is hope...

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

Dave Moulton — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:19:19 GMT

This thread raises a really important issue.

Architects and interior designers seem to be generally oblivious to acoustical issues, to a point where there is a college level acoustics textbook entitled "Deaf Architects & Blind Acousticians," by Robert Apfel.

Barry Blesser, inventor of the digital reverb, has written a book called "Spaces Speak, Are You Listening?" (MIT Press). He is now embarking on an ear-training project (and, yes, I am involved) to teach lay people (such as BeoWorlders, architects, interior designers, building contractors and psychologists) to hear and recognize both the physical sound qualities of spaces and also the emotional and psychological effects of such sound qualities.

If Barry's project gets off the ground (I think it will), I'll keep you posted.

Happily, there are a number of inexpensive and reasonably invisible treatments that can be used that will dramatically enhance the acoustical and living quality of residential spaces. My research has lead me to a number of insights about how best to do this, and every now and again I get an architect willing to put some of this into practice. Right now, I'm consulting on a new house for a retired pianist in New Mexico, who wants lots of glass for his views as well as great acoustics for his piano. An interesting job!

Anyway, threre's hope!

Merry Christmas, everybody!!

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

Tom — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:37:56 GMT

…and curtains can help a lot! My living-room was very "wet", but after curtains had been mounted, the sound improved a lot.

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

horstlederer — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 04:17:00 GMT

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And architects go more in the direction glass. Interior designers mostly do not use carpets, curtains .....

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

horstlederer — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 04:14:51 GMT

Thanks for the warm welcome.

As I have mostly glass, I found it hard to apply the absorbers.

And at the window i have this nice view to switzerland.

Kind regards Horst

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

horstlederer — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:58:46 GMT

This is the trend of the architects. Absolutly no absorber.

I wonder how the B&O products work in such a room.

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

horstlederer — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:56:41 GMT

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Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

soundproof — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:01:05 GMT

Henry:
Actually, the B&O in the catalogues must sound rubbish, they're never plugged into the mains!

That's a product I'd pay real money for: invisible cables.

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

beocool — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:47:21 GMT

Henry:
Actually, the B&O in the catalogues must sound rubbish, they're never plugged into the mains!

Never thought about that. You'll have no sound at all....

Re: acoustic problems in modern architecture

Stars — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:30:11 GMT

Actually, the B&O in the catalogues must sound rubbish, they're never plugged into the mains!