WSDG: Architecture and Acoustics

Achieving Energy Efficiency in Acoustic Design

A key parameter for achieving energy efficiency in buildings is the envelope design. Also, insulation plays a very important role helping reach high levels of “air tightness.” Most materials used for acoustic insulation have a very impressive thermal performance as well; insulation can refer to materials as well as to a range of designs and techniques employed to reduce unwanted heat loss or heat gain—which can decrease the energy demands of heating and cooling systems.

Often a material will be chosen for its ability to perform several of these functions at once whether it is acoustic insulation, fire insulation or impact insulation. In many cases, well-considered acoustic design can be achieved while making significant ecological performance gains and vice-versa.

 A holistic approach to the components of the design process, such as site design, materials and finishing, ventilation, orientation, lighting/power and heating cooling systems is necessary to get the best results.
WSDG is working to raise its design standards in a way that will improve the energy efficiency of buildings, while creating healthy and comfortable indoor environments for its occupants. We are following acoustic materials research, tracking energy usage, toxicity levels and others parameters that occur over the entire life cycle of the products. We also continually look for high performance HVAC systems and natural lighting/ventilation strategies that do not compromise the acoustic insulation--but can significantly reduce the energy demand of the buildings.

Ambient Noise Compensation in Varying High SPL Environment

An interesting approach has been used in a recently completed project, Train Station St. Gallen in Switzerland. Imagine you're standing on track 1, waiting for your train to Zurich to arrive. The track is changed from track 1 to say track 4, and an announcement is being made - how else would you know about it?  At that moment though, an incoming train on track 2 is hissing and breaking and makes all sorts of noise.

This sudden high ambient noise would make the track change announcement unintelligible, unless the volume of the announcement was increased to overcome the loud noises from track 2.

Guess what - this is exactly what is being done at St. Gallen train station - and completely automated! The announcement sound level is adjusted in real time by an ambient noise compensation algorithm (integrated in the DSP software, which "listens" to the ambient sound by specially installed listening microphones).

 As soon as the noise level drops to normal levels, the announcement is set back to regular volume. A special timing option offers abation of the volume correction at night in consideration of the quality of life of the local residents.

Sleep well!

Dirk Noy, WSDG

Using Two Sub Woofers in a Control Room Environment

From my recent experience of using two sub woofers in a control room environment, I can say that this is definitely a much easier and better way to achieve an even frequency response of a sound system at low frequencies. However, there is no doubt that room acoustics is the most important issue to be solved before one can start playing with the audio system – a bad sounding room to start with will never allow a balanced response.

There is no doubt that equalizers play a very important role in the room tuning process but they should be viewed as the final tool and used in moderation to make good sounding space sound even better. Two or more sub woofers provide a path of adjusting low frequency response without introducing any additional artifacts to the sound chain.

The best options will be those units that provide polarity, phase, crossover and equalization adjustments. To place them correctly in the room, one should follow a cautious process of acoustical measurements with the proper equipment and most importantly, a good pair of ears to make the final decisions. This process should involve an acoustician and one or two other audio engineers – in the end what really matters is how it sounds.

- Renato Cipriano