Evaluation of the influence of building façade design on the acoustic characteristics and auditory perception of urban spaces

Abstract

Auditory perception has been proved to have an influence on how we live and move through places and on the use of public spaces. However, despite the numerous studies that have focused on the theme of soundscape and auditory perception of urban spaces, these aspects have not been studied in connection with the design of the building surrounding such spaces. This study focuses on the influence of façade design on acoustic characteristics of an urban space and on the subjective spatial perception of the users. Simulations and auralizations have been conducted through ODEON software (v.13) on the virtual model of a small square of Turin (Italy). Different absorption and scattering coefficients of façade upholsteries have been applied to the façades of the building surrounding the square, choosing from a pool of typical building façade materials. Results of a listening test have proved that the absorption coefficient of the façades has an influence on the subjective perception of space wideness. Moreover, multiple regression analysis has been conducted in order to find a mathematical relation between space wideness perception and objective acoustic parameters. It was shown that the relation between the perceptual aspects and the objective parameters is strongly dependent on the listening position.

Room Acoustical Parameters as Predictors of Acoustic Comfort in Outdoor Spaces of Housing Complexes

“…Room acoustical parameters were originally developed to measure and estimate performances of music and speech in rooms (ISO 3382-1, 2009;IEC 60268-16, 2011;ODEON, 2018). However, they are also used in the case of partially-bounded spaces, i.e., spaces with solid floor and walls, but with open ceilings, e.g., from ancient theaters to modern stadiums (Calleri et al, 2018;Iannace, 2018;ODEON, 2018). Since inner yards of building complexes have a similar partially-bounded shape, several classic room acoustical parameters are considered in this paper regarding their ability to predict acoustic comfort.…”

“…Thus, an improvement of acoustic comfort in the building design could benefit the residents. As an example, the use of material with absorptive properties on surfaces outside housing complexes could reduce the SPL, which could then result in increased acoustic comfort (Calleri et al, 2017).…”

“…Within other exterior spaces of the urban layout, facade absorption has been found to affect the acoustic performance. In public squares, facade absorption has proved to be influential in the subjective assessment of space wideness (Calleri et al, 2017). Alongside streets, building facade and balcony absorption has been found to reduce levels from traffic noise (Lee et al, 2007;Yeung, 2016) and leisure noise (Badino et al, 2019) along facades.…”

“…Hossam El Dien and Woloszyn (2005) found that inclined parapet can provide equivalent reduction in SPL as insulation treatments while multiple rectangular balconies were found to be problematic reflectors (Tang, 2005). Another facade property that has been found to shape the perceived acoustic characteristics of urban spaces is the scattering coefficient of the applied facade materials (Calleri et al, 2018). However, the scattering properties were reported not to have a significant influence on reduction in SPL (Onaga and Rindel, 2002;Badino et al, 2019).…”

“…With this background, the present paper investigates whether room acoustical parameters would be proper indicators of acoustic comfort in outdoor areas (i.e., inner yards). Room acoustical parameters were actually developed for performances of music and speech in rooms (ISO 3382-1, 2009;IEC 60268-16, 2011;ODEON, 2018), but have been also used for partially-bounded spaces with open ceilings, such as ancient theaters (ODEON, 2018), historical courtyards for musical performances (Iannace, 2018), and urban spaces (Calleri et al, 2018;Taghipour et al, 2019c). These parameters are not too complex, e.g., a number of them are simple energy ratios, which are available in many simulation software and measurement tools.…”