Commissioning the Acoustical Performance of an Open Office Space Following the Latest Healthy Building Standard: A Case Study

Abstract

Healthy building design guides are cogent and necessary. While elements that contribute to healthy buildings are multifactorial, the perception of sound versus noise is subjective and difficult to operationalize. To inform the commissioning process, the acoustics in an open office was examined following the first international building certification system that focuses on the well-being of occupants. Results highlight the role facility managers play in ensuring acoustical quality and offer suggestions to optimize healthy building rating systems. Mixed empirical evidence concerning the advantages of open office designs exists, as does evidence that noise, and a lack of privacy, affects workers’ levels of distraction and dissatisfaction. Sound masking systems can lower stress levels and augment performance. However, the sound produced by these systems can also be disruptive; conflicting information exists for facility managers to use when making decisions. The results suggest that, although objective measurements and healthy building guidelines for designing satisfactory indoor acoustic environments are important, changes to the physical environment, and acoustical systems, in particular, require iterative subjective assessments within the retrofit process to bolster occupant satisfaction. Mixed-methodologies used in this study may aid facilities managers in capturing and interpreting occupant data about physical stimuli in the workplace and improving the commissioning process.

Lounge Designs for the Budapest Office of a Multinational Company

“…The problems and peculiarities of the open-plan offices revealed during the research match the results of the questionnaire, which was evaluated by descriptive statistical analysis and used in the conception; they confirm that the most significant disadvantages of spatial design are the noisy work environment and the lack of private space. Research has confirmed that work efficiency, workplace comfort, and health are influenced by two factors that have been addressed in several previous studies [1][2][3][4]; however, their connection to community and recreational spaces has no comprehensive studies. One peculiarity of the planning was that office-level problems had to be solved only by redesigning the given spaces: relocating noise inducing and distracting activities, along with designing adequate visual and acoustic separation, became extremely important.…”

“…The concept of open-plan offices has been addressed in several studies in the past and is still addressed today [1][2][3][4]. According to Candido's research, only 4 scientific articles on the Scopus platform examined the topic in 1999counting articles where the term 'open-plan office' was included in the title, abstract or keywords of the research -in 2018 there were fifteen times as many, 60 studies on the topic [1].…”

“…In recent years, healthy buildings, designed to improve indoor environmental quality, have become increasingly common. According to Kim's research, the basic requirements for office buildings have become the existence of creative and collaborative spaces, the integration of modern technologies, and the provision of adequate indoor air quality, lighting systems and acoustics [2]. In Candido's research workspaces were examined in terms of productivity, comfort and health, and based on the answers of the questionnaire, spatial comfort, indoor air quality, noise distraction and privacy, visual comfort, personal control, connection to the outdoor environment and building image & maintenance were the determinants [1].…”

Acoustic Design for Urban Educational Buildings by Using Noise Tools, IBANA Calc and Ecotect

“…Noise generated by any means of transportation is one of the main environmental damage factors with adverse effects on comfort. In line with that, Kim et al [8] stated that noise is unwanted sound because it is not in accordance with space and time so that it can cause interference with human comfort and health. The open roadside building's design has evidence that noise causes a lack of privacy, affects the level of disturbance, and employee dissatisfaction.…”

What is the “DNA” of healthy buildings? A critical review and future directions

“…This is especially important because older buildings were often built to less stringent standards than modern ones. Consequently, they often do not meet today's health standards [ 135 ]. For example, by adopting an appropriate HVAC system can improve ventilation and help prevent the spread of respiratory illness in indoor spaces.…”