Acoustics play a crucial role in commercial space design. From the office where no one wants to hear their neighbors to the music halls where echoes can lead to a disastrous performance, it's important to optimize sound quality in many forms of commercial design. No matter what type of commercial space is being built, it's important to get acoustics right from the start.
Assembling the right team of professionals, designing your space around your acoustic needs, and using noise-dampening materials throughout the design process is important. If you're heading the charge on a commercial construction project, this is what you need to know about controlling acoustics in commercial design.
How to Control Acoustics in Commercial Design
Sound travels easily in large commercial spaces. It echoes off tall ceilings and hard surfaces. While any building can be remodeled to control sound, the easiest and least expensive option is to mitigate these problems during building construction.
Who Needs Specialized Design?
Nearly every commercial property owner can benefit from some form of specialized acoustic design. However, some commercial properties are in greater need than others.
- Music halls and public theaters. These venues are the site of symphony performances, plays, and community events where poor sound quality means a poor experience for ticket goers.
- School gymnasiums and theaters. Often, school theaters and gymnasiums are in the same location. Echoes due to poor design can turn a fun occasion into a headache waiting to happen.
- Open office cubicle areas. Loud noises in workplaces can impact productivity and can even affect absenteeism.
- Corporate conference rooms. Privacy is important in corporate offices, especially in conference rooms and CEO offices.
Who Is Responsible for Ensuring Smart Sound Design?
Ideally, commercial buildings are designed with sound control in mind from the very start.
Architect. Look for an architect that has successfully designed buildings similar to the building you're designing. When interviewing architects, ask them what steps they took or features they included to mitigate sound in their other commercial spaces. Check references, and look through their portfolio. You may even visit buildings they've created, if they're open to visitors.
Acoustical engineer. In spaces where sound control is especially important, work with an acoustical engineer to identify potential problems with the design and mitigate those problems. The field of acoustical engineering has sound control down to a science and can use acoustic modeling software and other tools to determine how sound will move around your commercial space. Your architect can help you find an acoustical engineer for your project.
Builder. Your commercial builder may also play a role in sound control or mitigation. An experienced builder will be familiar with the materials and building methods that help control sound in indoor environments. However, most builders only provide input on these matters if it comes up during the construction process, or if they're asked. Most of the time, the acoustical engineer and architect play the more active role in this aspect of building construction.
How Is Sound Controlled In Commercial Spaces?
There are many ways to control sound in commercial spaces. Sound reflects off hard surfaces, and is absorbed by softer surfaces. To control sound, your design team may make use of building materials like sound dampening tiles and rubber placed behind walls. They may also choose to wrap a conference room or office with sound-dampening materials to prevent sound from getting in and out.
Ultimately, the methods that you use to control sound in your commercial space design depends on the space itself, and your goals for that space. Acoustical design can get expensive, so many commercial property owners only want as much acoustical control as needed to meet the requirements.
How to Control Acoustics In a Pre-Existing Commercial Space
If your pre-existing commercial space is problematically loud, there are many things you can do to mitigate sound. Some of these changes can be made without remodeling, other changes are best made during a commercial renovation.
- Install acoustic panels on the walls. Acoustic panels dampen sound and prevent it from echoing in enclosed spaces. Often, these panels look like modern art, and are hung on the wall like pictures. They can be installed by a building manager or by someone who works in the office. Some types of acoustic panels can also be attached to workstations and desks.
- Install sound-blocking partitions. Sound-blocking partitions can divide spaces and help prevent sound from traveling between work stations. They're not perfectly soundproof, but they do dampen office noises to create more privacy.
- Install taller cubicles, farther apart. Sometimes rearranging furniture to create more space between workers is an effective way to prevent sound from traveling in commercial office spaces.
- Install acoustic ceiling tiles. If you're looking for a way to minimize sound in an office space or commercial space, this is an option to consider for your next commercial remodel.
- Switch hard flooring for carpeting. Hard surfaces reflect sound more easily than soft surfaces. Switching hard flooring in your office space to a softer carpeted option can dampen sound and make a quieter environment for workers.
It's All In Assembling the Right Team
The trick to ensuring success in any commercial remodel in Connecticut is in assembling the right team to get the job done. Hire a builder and architect with experience working on projects like yours.
For more helpful advice about hiring remodeling professionals for your building projects, see Litchfield Builder's guide to hiring a contractor in Connecticut. With nearly 30 years in the business, Litchfield Builders is the builder of choice for businesses of all types. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
