Do you find some interiors alienating?

How to create surroundings people feel connected to Have you noticed how many people are tapping away on their laptops in cafés - engrossed in what they are doing, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings? Why is it that even though we may have comfortable and quiet areas in our homes to work in, many of us prefer to surround ourselves with the hubbub of a coffee bar? It can’t just be the good coffee and cakes, can it? Even if we’re not communicating with people, feeling a connection to them and our surroundings is important for our sense of well being. A cafe or bar’s low-key buzz gives a background to our thoughts. We can relax and concentrate without feeling isolated. Architecture critic Ian Nairn described the pubs he frequented as “places to shake off loneliness without being in anyone’s company. “ I recently had an unsettling reminder of this vital relationship with our surroundings when I stepped into an anechoic chamber at Salford University acoustic testing laboratories. The chamber’s 360-degree foam walls, floor and ceiling take away all sound giving an immediate feeling of isolation. This feeling is so disorientating and claustrophobic it instictively gave rise to a sense of panic. Imagine floating in space, with no perspective or ability to gauge your physical surroundings. That’s what it was like. All I could hear was a slight high-pitched buzz. When I asked the acoustician whether he could hear it too, he pointed out that this was the sound of my own insides. I experienced The Sound of Silence and it was not pleasant! When you’re designing commercial or residential interiors, you’re looking for the right amount of sound – not too much and not too little. Sound works in a similar way to water. You don’t want to have your morning shower poured over you in one go from a big bucket, do you? The distribution of water into myriad droplets makes it a pleasant experience. To make your interiors as stimulating and enjoyable as a rain shower, you need to scatter sound and reflect it back in smaller “droplets”. This reduces the negative impact of too much sound, without taking away the ambiance. A combination of sound absorption and diffusion creates balanced acoustics that helps us feel grounded amongst the people and things that surround us. This keeps the hum and buzz of a place and makes us feel connected, not isolated from our surroundings. What different approaches do you use to reduce noise in your interior projects? Let me know- I'd love to hear from you. I’ll be in touch again soon with more thoughts and ideas on acoustic design. Mm, now time for another coffee and maybe a piece of that cake…!

How to avoid the ‘fight or flight’ response to your interiors

Have you noticed how much noisier life gets in the summer?

On hot sunny days and balmy nights we open the windows and bring both the cool breeze and outside noise into our homes and workplaces.

If you live in the city like me, then sirens, sounds of neighbours’ barbeques, music and passing conversations all become part of your daily soundscape.

Also for me, it’s meant 4am wake up calls by squawking seagulls!

But why are we disturbed by certain sounds, even natural ones, like seagulls?

If we understand the fundamental reasons for our reactions to noise, can it help us design spaces that are more comfortable to be in?

You may think that we get used to certain noises over time - and so are no longer troubled by them.

But studies show that this isn’t the case. As Dylan Jones, Professor of Phycology at Cardiff University, explained on Radio 4’s recent programme The Search for the Perfect Office

Our Neanderthal past is expressing itself in our modern spaces:

Our sensory system is highly tuned. We respond to unwanted sound as a threat, activating our fight or flight response and putting us on high alert.

This reaction is so hard-wired that it doesn't diminish over time.
A creaking floorboard in the night is likely to freak you out every time you hear it.

In a similar way, if an interior has a problem with unwanted sound at the outset, it’s not going to get better or go away.

But why is sound so often overlooked in the design of interiors?

As designers, we’re taught to focus on the visual aspects of a design. Beyond practicalities, how an interior scheme looks is key. 

But what about how a place feels? 

The ‘invisible’ benefits of good acoustics such as atmosphere and ambiance may be harder to quantify, but can be crucial to the success of a space.

We all know the effect sounds can have on us.

Within hearing the first three seconds of Gary Numan’s track, Cars I’m catapulted right back to 1982 and the school disco.

Emotional responses to sound are often far stronger and more immediate than those associated with visual stimuli.

Which songs make you instantly feel happy or sad? And which sudden noises give you a fright? In our house, every time the dog barks at the postman, I jump.

Design is about people. Responding to our practical and emotional needs means creating harmonious spaces that are in tune, not conflict, with our most natural selves – whether it’s a buzzy restaurant, formal boardroom, or stimulating work environment.

Have you dealt with issues with acoustics in your projects in ways that have, or haven’t worked?

Let me know - it would be great to hear from you!

Do your interiors create a good first impression with their acoustics?

Six design tips for reception areas with a welcoming ambience Acoustics is often described as a ‘dark art'. A mysterious subject that’s difficult to master or describe in practical terms. Our modern buildings, our love of contemporary styled interiors, and the need for light and space - these all throw up complex challenges of unwanted sound. But in the time I’ve been working with acousticians on the development of our products, I’ve discovered it doesn’t have to be so complicated. I've found out that solutions can often be surprisingly straightforward. Simple design measures that make interiors look, and feel good. Or as sound expert Julian Treasures refers to in his enlightening TED talk “Designed for experience, and appearance” First dates, interviews, (or first newsletters like this one!) First impressions count. A reception area reflects a company’s personality and brand. As the first point of contact for visitors, it’s important it’s a welcoming space where speech can be clearly understood. And where noise interference is avoided. Do your reception areas activate all the right senses? In the spirit of collaboration, I asked acoustician Chris Steel from RMP Acoustics for his thoughts on the design and layout of reception areas. Receptions are often large, open areas with lots of hard surfaces on floors, walls and furniture. The key is to reduce the reverberation time that gives an echoey feel to the space. The recommended reverberation time for a large atrium/entrance lobby is 1.5 seconds. For normal reception areas this is 1 second.

Six design tips to create a more welcoming reception area :

• Locate reception desks away from seating areas so receptionist’s phonecalls and conversations cannot be overheard and visitors can talk quietly amongst themselves. Separating distances of 4-6m are suitable.  Distance of more than 10m should be avoided so that the receptionist can still attract a visitor’s attention.
• Discourage waiting next to the reception desk to reduce disturbance for other guests or when telephone calls are being taken. Place company literature/visual displays or focal points away from the reception desk.
• Locate reception desk away from intrusive noise sources such as vending machines, foyer cafes or lifts.
• Cover approximately 25% of wall areas in an atrium space with absorbent panels. This makes it an easier place to work in because it helps to control overall noise levels and improve speech intelligibility. Using acoustic panels in the wider area can also improve the acoustic environment immediately around the reception desk.
• Place a low, acoustically absorbent ceiling and/or acoustically absorbent wall linings around the reception desk.
• Introduce background noise for very quiet reception spaces; low-level ambient music or an active noise masking system, to can help create privacy.

Do you have issues with acoustics in your projects?

Let me know - it would be great to hear from you!