Acoustics & Wellbeing

in the modern workplace

25th June 2013
Andrew Parkin, Acoustics Partner

About Cundall

Established for nearly 40 years

Multi-disciplinary consultancy
20 offices in 11 countries
400+ staff
High level of repeat business
Customer focused
Award winning projects & business
Sustainable designers
One Planet Company

Award winning

Building Awards 2013:

Cut the Carbon Award Winner

Civic Trust Awards 2013:

Theatre Royal and University
of the Arts London Campus
for Central Saint Martins

Shortlisted at Building
Awards 2013: Engineering
Consultant of the Year and
Cut the Carbon Award

The National Constructing

Excellence Awards 2012:
Consultancy Practice of the
Year - Winner

West Midlands Constructing

Excellence Awards 2012:
The Legacy Award,
Sustainability - Winner

Building Qatar live 2012:

The Open BIM Build Qatar
Live - Winner

Constructing Excellence in
the North East Awards 2012:
Consultancy Practice of the
Year Award

Zero Carbon Sustainable

House 2012: Collaborative
Future - Winner

Our locations

Cundall services

Building services engineering

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Sustainability

Acoustic engineering

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Modelling (BIM)

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Management (DCIM)

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geoenvironmental

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Survey Solutions

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Cundall sectors

Critical Systems

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One Planet Company

We practice what we
preach

Worlds first consultancy to be

formally endorsed as a One
Planet Company by
sustainability charity
BioRegional
Applied the 10 One Planet
Principals to guide our
commitment, actions and
services
Cundall Sustainability
Roadmap available on
www.cundall.com

One Planet Living is a global initiative based on 10 principles

of sustainability developed by BioRegional and WWF.

Acoustics and wellbeing

Sound vs. Noise

One mans draught
Effect on health
Effect on wellbeing
Productivity and staff

retention in the workplace

Assessment tools
Adding value to buildings

Sound vs. Noise

Many sounds are pleasant
Soundscapes

Noise is unwanted sound

By definition, unpleasant and

promotes an adverse
response
Individual responses vary
Range from inconvenience to
severe impact

Acoustics and wellbeing

Positive sounds used to
enhance environment
Soundcapes, Audio Branding
Natural, pleasant sounds
Anonymous masking
Noise is a stresser
Health: good RTs, low noise,

promotes healing
Education: workplace and
learning
Workplace: support activities

Assessment tools
BREEAM, SKA, BCO, BS
8233, CIBSE
Internal noise levels

Reverberation time
Sound insulation

All of the above, plus STI and

other factors
AIS Guide to Office Acoustics
Cat B design most
sustainable

Where did my walls go?

Up until 1940s most offices

were cellular/cubicles
Walls came down to make

space and increase

openness
All research and guidance
since trying to emulate
cellular environment
Is this how we now work?

Acoustics in the workplace

Acoustics must support and
facilitate activities
If environment is poor, staff
retention is affected

What is the space for?

What acoustic conditions are

required?
Privacy
Communication
STI

Acoustic design of Cat B open plan

Differing requirements need
differing approaches
Acoustician needs to work
with interior architect and

planner
STI > 0.6 within a team

STI < 0.4 between teams

Internal finishes
Use of FF&E and office
equipment

Acoustic design of Cat B open plan

Tools at our disposal

Ceilings and soffit treatment

Suspended absorbers
Screens
Wall panels/artwork
Floor treatment
Office equipment
Partitions
Mechanical vent

Sound masking
Opening windows

But watch out for

Opening windows

Double facades
Displacement vent, chilled
beams (esp. passive),
chilled ceilings
Metal monolithic ceilings
(even perforated), BCO
BREEAM vs CIBSE!

Partial height partitions

The key to good cellular design

Speech Privacy

=
Partition rating (Dw)
+
Background noise (LAeq)

The key to good cellular design

Added value
Good acoustics needed for a
good environment

Research shows good

acoustics necessary
Acoustic environment a useful
tool in the workplace
Early involvement essential
Added value and value
engineering far outweighs fees

Case Study US Law Firm

Benchmarking
Explanation
Engagement
Work with architects
Work with suppliers (R&D)
Work with contractor

Case Study US Law Firm

Case Study IT corporate client

Noise surveys
Planning liaison
Explanation
Engagement
Work with architects
Work with M&E
Post-completion

surveys
Troubleshooting!

Case Study IT corporate client

Case Study IT corporate client

Case Study IT corporate client

Questions?
a.parkin@cundall.com
@andrewjparkin