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Title Acoustics for Supportive and Healthy Buildings: Emerging Themes on Indoor Soundscape Research
ID_Doc 73
Authors Torresin, S; Aletta, F; Babich, F; Bourdeau, E; Harvie-Clark, J; Kang, J; Lavia, L; Radicchi, A; Albatici, R
Published Sustainability, 12, 15
Structure The article "Acoustics for Supportive and Healthy Buildings: Emerging Themes on Indoor Soundscape Research" by Simone Torresin et al. (2020) presents a comprehensive review of the literature on indoor soundscape research and its relationship with building occupants' health, well-being, and quality of life.

Section 1: Introduction


The article introduces the concept of indoor soundscape research, which aims to explore the human perception of the acoustic environment in indoor spaces. The authors highlight the need for a more holistic approach to understanding the impact of indoor acoustics on building occupants' health and well-being.

Section 2: Methods


The authors describe the methodology used to conduct the study, which involved expert interviews with a panel of 4 experts in the field of acoustics, public health, and well-being. The interviews were conducted via online meetings, and the authors used thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes in the data.

Section 3: Results


The authors present the results of the thematic analysis, which identified several key themes related to indoor soundscape research. These themes include:

* The need for a more nuanced understanding of the acoustic environment in indoor spaces
* The importance of considering the social and cultural context of indoor spaces
* The potential of indoor soundscape research to inform building design and operation
* The need for more research on the relationship between indoor acoustics and building occupants' health and well-being

Section 4: Discussion


The authors discuss the implications of the findings, highlighting the need for a more integrated approach to understanding the impact of indoor acoustics on building occupants' health and well-being. They also emphasize the importance of considering the social and cultural context of indoor spaces and the potential of indoor soundscape research to inform building design and operation.

Section 5: Limitations


The authors acknowledge the limitations of the study, including the small sample size and the limited scope of the research questions. They also highlight the need for further research to fully explore the relationship between indoor acoustics and building occupants' health and well-being.

Section 6: Conclusion


The authors conclude by emphasizing the importance of indoor soundscape research in understanding the impact of indoor acoustics on building occupants' health and well-being. They highlight the need for further research to fully explore this relationship and to inform building design and operation.

Overall, the article presents a comprehensive review of the literature on indoor soundscape research and its relationship with building occupants' health, well-being, and quality of life. The authors highlight the need for a more holistic approach to understanding the impact of indoor acoustics on building occupants and emphasize the importance of considering the social and cultural context of indoor spaces.
Summary The study aimed to contribute to the emerging field of indoor soundscape research by exploring the link between acoustic design and health-related outcomes. The authors conducted a thematic analysis of structured interviews with a panel of experts and identified key themes related to the characterization, management, and design of indoor soundscapes.

The research questions investigated were:

1. How can acoustic design contribute to shaping regenerative buildings?
2. What differences and similarities exist between outdoor and indoor soundscape approaches?
3. How can indoor soundscapes be measured?
4. What is the potential of sound management for biophilic design?
5. How are "wanted" sounds related to health outcomes?

The study found that acoustic design can contribute to shaping regenerative buildings by providing high-quality acoustic environments that support task performance, cognitive functions, and emotional states. The authors also highlighted the importance of understanding the differences and similarities between outdoor and indoor soundscape approaches, as well as the need to develop tailored methods for measuring indoor soundscapes.

The study's findings have implications for building design and urban planning, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach that incorporates multiple disciplines, including acoustics, sociology, psychology, and physiology. The authors also stressed the importance of participatory design processes and the use of sound management strategies to enhance indoor soundscapes.

Overall, the article highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the acoustic environment and its effects on building occupants' health, well-being, and quality of life. The study's findings have significant implications for building design and urban planning, and its results contribute to the ongoing pursuit of health and well-being in building research and practice.

Key takeaways:

1. Acoustic design can contribute to shaping regenerative buildings by providing high-quality acoustic environments.
2. There are differences and similarities between outdoor and indoor soundscape approaches.
3. Indoor soundscapes can be measured using a range of methods, including survey methods, interviews, and non-participatory observations.
4. Sound management can contribute to biophilic design by enhancing the sensory experience of natural environments.
5. "Wanted" sounds can have a positive impact on health outcomes, but their use should be carefully considered to avoid negative effects.

The study's findings have significant implications for building design and urban planning, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach that incorporates multiple disciplines, including acoustics, sociology, psychology, and physiology. The authors also stressed the importance of participatory design processes and the use of sound management strategies to enhance indoor soundscapes.
Scientific Methods The article presents a research study on the topic of indoor soundscape, which is a relatively new and emerging field of research in the context of building design and environmental sustainability. The study aims to explore the role of acoustics in indoor environments and its potential impact on human health, well-being, and quality of life.

The research methods used in this study are primarily qualitative, based on expert interviews with a panel of four experts from different disciplines, including acoustics, urban planning, and public health. The interviews were structured and conducted via online meetings between April and May 2019.

The study used thematic analysis to analyze the data collected from the interviews, which involved identifying and coding themes related to the research questions. The analysis revealed several key themes, including the importance of acoustic design in shaping regenerative buildings, the need for a multisensory approach to indoor soundscapes, and the potential of sound management for biophilic design.

The study also discussed the limitations of current research methods and highlighted the need for further research in the field of indoor soundscape. The authors argued that the existing methods, such as surveys and questionnaires, are limited in their ability to capture the complex and subjective nature of human experience in indoor environments.

The study's findings have implications for the field of building design and environmental sustainability, highlighting the need for a more holistic and integrated approach to designing indoor environments that take into account the complex interactions between humans, buildings, and their surroundings.

In terms of the research methods used, the study employed:

1. Expert interviews: The study used structured interviews with a panel of four experts from different disciplines to gather data on the role of acoustics in indoor environments.
2. Thematic analysis: The study used thematic analysis to analyze the data collected from the interviews, which involved identifying and coding themes related to the research questions.
3. Coding: The study used coding to analyze the data, which involved assigning codes to specific phrases or sentences in the interview transcripts.
4. Data triangulation: The study used data triangulation to validate the findings, which involved combining multiple data sources and methods to increase the reliability and validity of the results.

Overall, the study's use of qualitative research methods, including expert interviews and thematic analysis, provided a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between humans, buildings, and their surroundings.
Article contribution The article "Acoustics for Supportive and Healthy Buildings: Emerging Themes on Indoor Soundscape Research" presents a comprehensive analysis of the role of acoustics in indoor soundscapes and its impact on human health, well-being, and quality of life. The study contributes to the ongoing discussion on regenerative design conceptualization and application, providing new insights into the potential of indoor soundscape design to support cognitive functions, emotional states, and overall well-being.

The study's findings can be summarized as follows:

1.
Indoor soundscapes are essential for cognitive functions and emotional states
: The study highlights the importance of indoor soundscapes in shaping cognitive functions, emotional states, and overall well-being. The authors argue that indoor soundscapes can be used to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve concentration.
2.
Biophilic design approaches can be applied to indoor environments
: The study suggests that biophilic design approaches can be applied to indoor environments to promote a connection with nature. The authors propose the use of natural sounds, such as water features or wind sounds, to create a sense of calm and well-being.
3.
Acoustic comfort is a critical aspect of indoor design
: The study emphasizes the importance of acoustic comfort in indoor design. The authors argue that acoustic comfort is a critical aspect of indoor design, as it can significantly impact cognitive functions, emotional states, and overall well-being.
4.
Indoor soundscapes can be designed using participatory and integrated approaches
: The study suggests that indoor soundscapes can be designed using participatory and integrated approaches, involving stakeholders, users, and experts. The authors propose the use of soundwalks, interviews, and focus groups to gather data and inform design decisions.
5.
New soundscape indices and prediction tools are needed
: The study highlights the need for new soundscape indices and prediction tools to assess the impact of indoor soundscapes on human health and well-being. The authors propose the development of new metrics, such as the Soundscape Quality Index (SQI), to evaluate the effectiveness of indoor soundscapes.

The study's contributions to regenerative economics and sustainability are significant, as it:

1.
Highlights the importance of indoor soundscapes in promoting human well-being
: The study demonstrates the importance of indoor soundscapes in promoting human well-being, cognitive functions, and emotional states.
2.
Provides new insights into the application of biophilic design approaches
: The study offers new insights into the application of biophilic design approaches in indoor environments, highlighting the potential of natural sounds to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve concentration.
3.
Emphasizes the need for participatory and integrated approaches in indoor soundscapes design
: The study emphasizes the importance of participatory and integrated approaches in indoor soundscapes design, highlighting the need for stakeholder engagement, user involvement, and expert input.

Overall, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of acoustics in indoor soundscapes and its impact on human health, well-being, and quality of life. The findings highlight the importance of indoor soundscapes in promoting cognitive functions, emotional states, and overall well-being, and emphasize the need for participatory and integrated approaches in indoor soundscapes design.
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