Towards an Acoustically Accessible Campus: A Case Study of the Acoustic Conditions of an Australian University

Abstract

University is an important stage of learning for students, so it is vital that higher education spaces are acoustically accessible to all and are places that promote equity and inclusion. The aim of this study was to measure the unoccupied noise levels and reverberation times of all of the classrooms in a typical Australian university to assess acoustic accessibility with a view to planning for a more accessible campus. A total of 166 classrooms were measured and categorised into good, ok, and poor classrooms according to the Macquarie University (MQU) Design Guidelines Review Performance Standards. Regarding unoccupied noise levels, 52% of classrooms were within the recommended < 35 dBA limit. Regarding reverberation times, 65% of classrooms were within the recommended 0.4–0.6 s limit. Finally, 40% of classrooms met both the noise level and reverberation time limit. The plans at the university to incorporate these findings to make the campus more acoustically accessible are discussed, as well as future research avenues so that all students and teachers can flourish.