An Overview of Acoustics and Lighting Design in Architecture Course Manual
An Overview of Acoustics and Lighting Design in Architecture Course Manual
An Overview of Acoustics and Lighting Design in Architecture Course Manual
Design in architecture
Course Manual
By:
Ar. Christopher P. Luna, uap.
2015 Edition
The use of this document is authorized for academic purposes only. The
copyrights reside with respective publishers, and any unauthorized distribution
is against the copyright law. All the information provided in the course manual is
intended for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace
other official documents.
BUILDING UTILITIES 3: Room Acoustics
Introduction to Acoustical Systems The qualities or characteristics of a room,
By: Ar. Chris Luna, uap auditorium or concert hall that determine the
audibility of speech or fidelity of musical sounds
Acoustics is the study of how sounds are in it
created, transmitted and received. The branch
of Physics that deals with the production, Branches and Applications of Acoustics
control, transmission, reception and effects of
sound waves Architectural Acoustics
A branch of acoustics that deals with providing
rooms and buildings with good conditions for
listening to speech and music, it plays an
important role in the planning and construction
of auditorium, churches, halls, libraries and
music halls
It deals with:
the production of sound
the propagation of sound from the source to Engineering Acoustics
the receiver The technology of sound production and
the detection and perception of sound recording, sound motion pictures and radio and
television, as well as the study of vibrations of
The word sound is often used to describe two solids and their control and the use of high
different things: intensity ultrasonic in industrial processing.
Noise is an important aspect in engineering
an auditory sensation in the ear acoustics.
the disturbance in a medium that can cause
this sensation.
Acoustical Analysis
A detailed study of the use of the building, the
location and orientation of its spaces, possible
sources of noise and the desirable acoustical
environment in each usable area.
Acoustical Design
The planning, shaping, finishing, and furnishing
of an enclosed space to establish the acoustical
environment necessary for distinct hearing
Acoustical Treatment
The application of absorbent or reflecting
materials to the wall, ceilings and floor of an
enclosed space to alter or improve its acoustic
properties
Page 1 of 66
Environmental Acoustics Musical Acoustics
Involves the control of noise pollution, Deals with the physics of musical instruments
environmental noise which includes automobile
and other motor vehicles, aircraft, industrial plant
and heavy construction equipment
Page 2 of 66
The Human Ear
―concentric circle‖
This approach brought the greatest number of In about 20 BC, the Roman architect and
people close to the central area engineer Vitruvius wrote a treatise on the
acoustic properties of theatres including
discussion of interference, echoes, and
Page 3 of 66
reverberation, the beginnings of architectural
acoustics 1842 - John William Strutt (Baron Rayleigh)
monumental work Theory of Acoustic was
published
Page 4 of 66
Biographies of Renowned People in the Werner Meyer-Eppler (30 April 1913–8 July
Development of Acoustics 1960), was a German physicist, experimental
acoustician, phoneticist, and information
Jens Blauert is a German scientist specializing theorist.
in psycho-acoustics and an emeritus professor
at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, where he
founded the Institute of Communication
Acoustics. His major scientific fields of interest
are spatial hearing, binaural technology,
aural architecture, perceptual quality, speech
technology, virtual environments and tele-
presence.
Page 5 of 66
Joseph Sauveur (24 March 1653 – 9 July 1716) Thomas Young (13 June 1773 – 10 May 1829)
was a French mathematician and physicist. He was an English polymath. Young made notable
was a professor of mathematics and in 1696 scientific contributions to the fields of vision,
became a member of the French Academy of light, solid mechanics, energy, physiology,
Sciences. language, musical harmony, and Egyptology.
Page 6 of 66
Sound Isolation:
Site Noise Characteristics (sound level,
character, duration)
Outdoor barriers, nearby buildings,
vegetation and earth berms
Location of activities within buildings
(zoning, buffer spaces)
Wall, floor and ceiling constructions
Background noise criteria (HVAC System,
electronic amplification) Reverberation is the persistence of sound in a
Coordination with room acoustics particular space after the original sound is
produced. A reverberation, or reverb, is created
when a sound is produced in an enclosed space
causing a large number of echoes to build up
and then slowly decay as the sound is absorbed
by the walls and air.
Page 7 of 66
High Blood Pressure
Stress
Heart Problems
Respiratory Ailments
Productivity
Numerous studies demonstrate that noise is the
#1 inhibitor to productivity
Functionality
Spaces wherein ―QUIET‖ is a necessity:
Libraries
Museums
Importance of Acoustics in the Architectural Health Care facilities
Design Spaces wherein ―UNDERSTANDING OF
SPEECH‖ are vital:
Architects need to consider aside from aesthetic: Classrooms
health and safety Boardrooms
productivity Lecture Halls
comfort & human factors Courtrooms
functionality Spaces that requires ―BUZZ‖ isn’t
overwhelming
Effects on Humans Restaurants
Lobbies
Hearing loss is the #1 disability in the world Food Courts
Malls
Hearing loss is one of the most common Spaces that ensure ―PUBLIC
occupational hazard.....with nearly more ANNOUNCEMENTS‖ audibility
than 100 million workers exposed to Airports
potentially hazardous noise levels on the job Educational Facilities
Government Facilities
Excessive noise exposure can cause Public Spaces
“Tinnitus” (characterized by a constant Spaces wherein ―SPEECH PRIVACY‖ is a key
ringing, hissing or other sound in the ears or Open office
head when no external sound is present) Call center
Meeting areas
Health & Safety Spaces wherein ―MUSIC ENHANCEMENT‖ is
Noise had been linked to a number of ailments crucial
other than hearing loss, such as: Recording studios
Headaches Concert halls
Digestive Issues Practice rooms
Ulcers Performance spaces
Page 8 of 66
As architects, we need to consider acoustics BUILDING UTILITIES 3:
during the “design development stage”, in order Sound Theory
to: By: Ar. Chris Luna, uap
Reduce costs
Don’t sacrifice aesthetics Sound: A Definition
Limit your liability
Protect your client Sound is a mechanical wave that is an
oscillation of pressure transmitted through some
NOTHING FOLLOWS medium (like air or water), composed of
frequencies which are within the range of
hearing.
Page 9 of 66
Propagation of Sound Longitudinal Wave
The behavior of sound propagation is generally Longitudinal waves, also known as "l-waves",
affected by three things: are waves in which the displacement of the
medium is in the same direction as, or the
1. A relationship between density and opposite direction to, the direction of travel of the
pressure. This relationship, affected by wave.
temperature, determines the speed of sound
within the medium. Mechanical longitudinal waves are also called
compressional waves or compression waves,
2. The propagation is also affected by the because they produce compression and
motion of the medium itself. For example, rarefaction when traveling through a medium.
sound moving through wind. Independent of
the motion of sound through the medium, if Transverse Wave
the medium is moving, the sound is further
transported. A transverse wave is a moving wave that
consists of oscillations occurring perpendicular
3. The viscosity of the medium also affects the (or right angled) to the direction of energy
motion of sound waves. It determines the transfer. If a transverse wave is moving in the
rate at which sound is attenuated. For many positive x-direction, its oscillations are in up and
media, such as air or water, attenuation due down directions that lie in the y–z plane. Light is
to viscosity is negligible. an example of a transverse wave.
Page 10 of 66
Wavelength Amplitude
In physics, the wavelength of a sinusoidal wave Amplitude is the objective measurement of the
is the spatial period of the wave, the distance degree of change (positive or negative) in
over which the wave's shape repeats. atmospheric pressure (the compression and
rarefaction of air molecules) caused by sound
waves.
Page 11 of 66
Sound is a sequence of waves of pressure
which propagates through compressible media
such as air or water. (Sound can propagate Inverse Square Law (Free field Condition)
through solids as well, but there are additional
modes of propagation).
Page 12 of 66
Sound Pressure and Sound Pressure Levels
Page 13 of 66
Noise Reduction and Noise Reduction
Coefficient (NRC)
Page 14 of 66
absorption coefficients (250, 500, 1000 and
2000 Hertz rounded to the nearest 5%).
Soundproofing
Moderate absorption (25 to 50 percent
Soundproofing is any means of reducing the coverage) suits listening and control rooms that
sound pressure with respect to a specified typically feature more subdued music, as well as
sound source and receptor. larger business spaces. Moderate absorption of
around 50 percent is a good estimate for many
There are several basic approaches to reducing home theaters.
sound:
Page 15 of 66
BUILDING UTILITIES 3:
Acoustical Materials and its Application Each doubling the total amount of absorption in
By: Ar. Chris Luna, uap a room reduces reverberation time by one-half.
Acoustical Treatment
Echo Control
Reverberation Control
Page 16 of 66
Echoes are long, delayed, distinct reflections of
sound
CONCRETE
MASONRY
Part of the absorbed energy is transformed into Masonry is any large variety of stone-like
heat and part is transmitted. The energy materials.
transformed into heat is said to have been 'lost'.
Concrete Masonry Units
Common Building Materials
Modular building blocks made of concrete
BRICK
Attenuates sound very well
A brick is a block or a single unit of a ceramic If well sealed, it becomes a good all
material used in masonry construction. frequency reflector
Page 17 of 66
GLASS WOOD PANELING
Glass is an amorphous (non-crystalline) solid Wood paneling means a relatively thin finish
material that exhibits a glass transition, which is made of boards and panels.
the reversible transition in amorphous materials
(or in amorphous regions within semicrystalline Wood absorbs low frequency sound by
materials) from a hard and relatively brittle state resonance and may lead to serious bass
into a molten or rubber-like state. deficiency in rooms
PLY WOOD
METAL
Page 18 of 66
Sound Absorbing Materials and Construction Applications:
All materials have sound absorbing properties. For walls: perforated or expanded metal,
perforated hardwood, metal slats, fabric-
Incident sound energy which is not absorbed covered panels or shredded formboard
must be reflected, transmitted or dissipated. Membrane-faced or ceramic tile:
swimming pool areas, kitchen or locker
A material’s sound absorbing properties can be rooms (humid)
described as sound absorption coefficient in a
particular range.
1. Porous Materials
Applications:
Samples:
Page 19 of 66
Acoustical Tile: Acoustical Blanket:
Ceiling material with mineral or cellulose Manufactured from rock wool, glass
fibers or of fiber glass fibers, hair felt etc.
They are suspended on a metal grid Generally installed on a wood or metal
framing system
Applications:
Applications:
Suspended Tile provides low frequency
than glued on tile Their absorption increases with
thickness
Fiberglass:
Acoustical Foam:
Available in the form of batts, blankets
One of a variety of cellular materials
and boards
usually made of polyurethane
Applications:
Applications:
Stud walls and ducts
Excellent sound absorbers
Industrial noise control
Theater seats (stabilize reverberation)
Page 20 of 66
Fibrous Batts and Blankets: Fibrous Plank:
Fibrous Spray:
Page 21 of 66
Insulation (Loose): Curtains and Fabrics:
Applications: Applications:
Application:
Page 22 of 66
3. Volume and cavity Resonator Sound Absorbing Materials and Construction
Page 23 of 66
Random Perforated Tile Slotted tile or panel
Page 24 of 66
Suspended Sound Absorbing Panels and Commercial Type Acoustical Materials for
Units Various Building Applications:
These units are installed with all edges and Polyurethane Foam Sound Absorber
sides exposed
Material: Open Cell Acoustical Foam
Types of Suspended sound absorbing panels:
Parallel Features: reduces reflected noise and
Honeycomb reverberation time
Egg crate
Applications:
Industrial
Commercial
Churches
Schools
Recording studios
Gun ranges
Audio room
Equipment closure
Transondent Facings
Page 25 of 66
Melamine Foam Linear Wedges Acoustical Baffles
Page 26 of 66
Melamine Foam Composite Containment Low Frequency Sound Absorber / Insulator
System
Material: recycled bonded acoustical fiber
Material: 1 inch Melamine Acoustical Foam
Features: good low frequency absorption
Features: efficient absorber
Applications:
Applications: Industrial
Utility and mechanical rooms Mechanical room
Harsh noisy environment
Page 27 of 66
Porous Expanded Polypropylene (PEPP) Polyuretherane Foam Composite Sound
Acoustical Wall Panels Containment System
Applications: Applications:
Gymnasiums Mechanical Rooms
Auditoria
Restaurants
Car wash facility
Applications:
Large open areas
Page 28 of 66
Acoustical Cotton Fiber Composite Panel Other Materials:
Material: Bonded Acoustical Pad Ceiling Tiles: excellent choice for controlling
sound reverberation
Features: high performance absorption
Gypsum Board: fire resistance
Applications:
Gymnasium Foam Baffle: absorbs unwanted echo
Classroom
Music room Pyramids: Ideal for studio application
Concert halls
Water treatment plants Foam Panel: acoustical absorption
Gun ranges
Offices Fireflex: sound absorption
Acoustical Foam
Loose Insulation
Helmholtz Resonator
NOTHING FOLLOWS
Page 29 of 66
BUILDING UTILITIES 3: Acoustical Design of Rooms
Building Acoustics
By: Ar. Chris Luna, uap The floor plan and shape of the ceiling and walls
of a room are important factors in determining its
Checklist for effective Sound Absorption: acoustical properties
Page 30 of 66
Partial Height Barriers:
Page 31 of 66
Privacy in an open-office work environment can Fundamental requirements in designing rooms
be achieved thru the following: for speech:
Normal Privacy can only be achieved by Background noise levels must be low
using a fiberglass ceiling tile enough to not interfere with the listening
environment.
ceiling height can also have an effect on the
degree of privacy The room must be free from acoustical
defects such as long delayed reflections,
flutter echoes, etc
conference rooms
auditoria
Page 32 of 66
Hard ceiling is preferred in a lecture hall and
auditorium (50–500 seats)
opera house
Absorptive material on virtually every The acoustician can only work indirectly with the
surface except the floor room surfaces that reflect, diffuse, or absorb the
primal energy
ceilings are dark-colored acoustical tile
Page 33 of 66
Concert halls are rooms designed specifically An opera house is a mix of a legitimate theater
for music in which the musicians and the and a concert hall, which constrains the design
audience occupy the same space more than a pure concert hall.
Page 34 of 66
BUILDING UTILITIES 3: A Historical Development
Introduction to Lighting
By: Ar. Chris Luna, uap
Architectural Lighting
Lighting designers are often specialists who The earliest man-made light sources:
must understand the physics of light production fire
and distribution, and the physiology and torches
psychology of light perception by humans candles
Page 35 of 66
Ancient Greeks and Romans made lamps 1831 - Michael Faraday discover the principles
from bronze or pottery that burned olive oil of electromagnetism
or other vegetable oils in their spouts.
1879 – Swan (UK) and Edison (US) developed
Middle Ages, when reflectors were added to the first practical electric lamp known as
their designs. “incandescent filament lamp”
Early American colonists used fish oil and Thomas Edison patented his incandescent lamp.
whale oil in their Betty lamps.
During this period, electric lights became
popular
Timeline:
1827 - Friction match was invented Chandeliers were an early form of "light
fixture".
1860 - Mineral oil was turned into paraffin which
was used for lamps and for the manufacture of
wax candles.
Page 36 of 66
Lighting: Health Effects Light pollution is described as artificial light
that is excessive or intrudes where it is not
It is valuable to provide the correct light intensity wanted.
and color spectrum for each task or
environment. Otherwise, energy not only could Well-designed lighting sends light only
be wasted but over-illumination can lead to where it is needed without scattering it
adverse health and psychological effects. elsewhere.
Page 37 of 66
Ambient Light
Page 38 of 66
Light Characteristics BUILDING UTILITIES 3:
Physics of Light and Light Sources
Lamp efficacy By: Ar. Chris Luna, uap
The amount of light emitted by a lamp for
each Watt of power consumed. The Nature of Light
1. Natural Phenomena
NOTHING FOLLOWS
Page 39 of 66
3. Luminescence
a. Photoluminescence, a result of
absorption of photons
b. Fluorescence, photoluminescence as a
result of singlet–singlet electronic
2. Incandescence or Temperature Radiation relaxation (typical lifetime: nanoseconds)
c. Phosphorescence, photoluminescence
Incandescence is the emission of light (visible as a result of triplet–singlet electronic
electromagnetic radiation) from a hot body as a relaxation (typical lifetime: milliseconds to
result of its temperature. The term derives from hours)
the Latin verb incandescere, to glow white d. Electroluminescence, a result of an
electric current passed through a
substance
Page 40 of 66
Fundamental Laws of Light Based on Color Surface:
1. Absorption
2. Reflection
3. Transmission
Page 41 of 66
5. Refraction
6. Polarization
4. Diffusion
Page 42 of 66
Light travels sinusoidally in waves Illuminance (symbol E) is the term given to the
quantity of luminous flux falling on unit area of a
A relationship exists between the length of the surface. It is measured in lux, which is
wave, its frequency and the velocity of equivalent to lumens per square meter.
propagation such that:
Page 43 of 66
Foot-candle (sometimes foot candle; Electric Light Sources
abbreviated fc, lm/ft2, or sometimes ft-c) is a
non-SI unit of illuminance or light intensity widely Incandescent Lamp or incandescent light globe
used in the United States in photography, film, is an electric light which produces light with a
television, conservation lighting, the lighting filament wire heated to a high temperature by an
industry, construction-related engineering and in electric current passing through it, until it glows.
building codes.
Page 44 of 66
Common Lamp Base of Incandescent light 2. Rough Service Lamps are designed to be
bulbs: resistant to vibration and other external
stresses that can damage the filament of a
regular lamp, causing failure. They are
available in a variety of wattages and
finishes. They are known for their durability
and long life as compared to regular
incandescent bulbs.
Page 45 of 66
4. Dichroic Reflector Lamp almost always 6. Mini Reflector Bulbs provide the perfect
refers to low-voltage MR11 or MR16 light for dramatic accents and display
halogen spotlights. The interior surface of lighting as well as general lighting in a
these lights is designed as a multifaceted variety of applications.
reflector (MR), with the purpose of gathering
up the widespread light of the burning
tungsten filament and projecting it forward
through the front of the lamp.
Page 46 of 66
A fluorescent lamp converts electrical energy Types of Fluorescent Lamp Base
into useful light much more efficiently than
incandescent lamps.
Page 47 of 66
2. Instant Start Lamp: 4. A Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL), also
called compact fluorescent light, energy-
saving light, and compact fluorescent tube,
is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace an
incandescent lamp; some types fit into light
fixtures formerly used for incandescent
lamps. The lamps use a tube which is
curved or folded to fit into the space of an
incandescent bulb, and a compact electronic
ballast in the base of the lamp
Page 48 of 66
6. UV Lamp or Germicidal lamps depend on Electrical ballast is a device intended to limit
the property that spectrum of 254 nm kills the amount of current in an electric circuit.
most germs.
Types of Ballast:
Page 49 of 66
4. Electronic Type is the newest type of
ballast with all electronics components.
Page 50 of 66
2. Metal-Halide Lamp is an electric light that 4. Xenon Arc Lamp or Short Arc Lamp is a
produces light by an electric arc through a specialized type of gas discharge lamp, an
gaseous mixture of vaporized mercury and electric light that produces light by passing
metal halides (compounds of metals with electricity through ionized xenon gas at high
bromine or iodine). pressure. It produces a bright white light that
closely mimics natural sunlight.
Page 51 of 66
5. Low-Pressure Sodium (LPS) Lamps have 7. Electrodeless Lamp or induction light is a
borosilicate glass gas discharge tube (arc gas discharge lamp in which the power
tube) containing solid sodium, a small required to generate light is transferred from
amount of neon, and argon gas in a Penning outside the lamp envelope to the gas inside
mixture to start the gas discharge. via an electric or magnetic field, in contrast
with a typical gas discharge lamp that uses
internal electrodes connected to the power
supply by conductors that pass through the
lamp envelope.
NOTHING FOLLOWS
Page 52 of 66
BUILDING UTILITIES 3: Lighting Reflectance in a Room
Lighting Design and Calculation
By: Ar. Chris Luna, uap Reflectance values express the percentage of
light that is reflected back from a surface, the
The objective of architectural lighting design is to difference having been absorbed or transmitted
obtain sufficient light for the purposes of the by the surface.
building, balancing factors of initial and
operating cost, appearance, and energy
efficiency.
Lighting Calculation
Lighting Design:
Types of Artificial Lighting
Page 53 of 66
Layer 3 – Focal or Accent
In some cases, luminaires also include The lighting used to illuminate features and
the necessary circuit auxiliaries, displays such as artwork, architectural features,
together with the means for connecting retail displays, and signs
them to the electric supply.
Basic Approach:
Page 54 of 66
B. Outdoor Lighting is usually accomplished
using light fixtures, and is a key part of
outdoor/site/landscape design
Floodlight
Page 55 of 66
Sports Lighting
Page 56 of 66
Parking Lot and Garage
Landscape
Security
Security lights can be used along Signage luminaires must be rated for
roadways in urban areas, or behind outdoor use in the position they will be
homes or commercial facilities. oriented.
These are extremely bright lights used They should be designed to shed water
to deter crime. and resist ice build-up.
Page 57 of 66
Externally mounted signage luminaires Grocery
should be mounted at the top of the
sign.
Outdoor
Industrial
Outdoor courts
Office
NOTHING FOLLOWS
Page 58 of 66
BUILDING UTILITIES 3: Types of Day Lighting in Architecture
Architectural Lighting
By: Ar. Chris Luna, uap
MOOD OR EMOTION
PRODUCTIVITY
AWARENESS
Page 59 of 66
Shading and Redirecting Natural Light Luminance Patterns
Page 60 of 66
Degrees of Brightness CORRIDORS:
Educational Facilities
CLASSROOMS:
Page 61 of 66
LIBRARIES: GYMNASIUM:
Page 62 of 66
Hospitality Facilities KITCHEN:
RESTAURANTS:
LOBBY:
Appearance of space & luminaires
Appearance of space & luminaires Color Appearance & Color Contrast
Color Appearance & Color Contrast Daylighting Integration & Control
Daylighting Integration & Control Direct Glare
Direct Glare Flicker
Reflected Glare Shadows
Light Distribution on Surfaces
Luminances of Room Surfaces
Point(s) of Interest
Page 63 of 66
The following general objectives should be Healthcare Facilities
addressed:
Design Considerations for Specific
Achieve harmony with the architectural and Locations:
decorative character of the facility
provide high-quality illumination for visual Higher illuminances from localized lighting are
tasks required for good visibility in:
control glare and luminance ratios surgery
Provide an adequate illuminance obstetrics
Optimize costs to maximize net revenues, dentistry
including first costs, operating costs, and emergency treatment
maintenance costs trauma
Use energy efficiently autopsy rooms
Outdoor Lighting
The primary focus of exterior areas around
hotels and restaurants is either for pedestrian
walkways or for sit-down enjoyment
Public Spaces
The lobby establishes the main design themes
for the facility. The entrance foyer is a transition
space between the outdoors and the interior
space therefore should promote a sense of
security and welcome while allowing adaptation
between high and low illuminances.
Guestrooms
Lighting must establish an inviting, homelike
atmosphere through the use of a variety of
lighting equipment and some decorative in
appearance
Page 64 of 66
Pediatric Section Mentally-ill Persons
A bright and cheerful atmosphere is essential. Lighting should be designed to be inaccessible
Should incorporate warm surface colors & to these patients
diffuse lighting
Nurseries
General lighting and flicker free
Operating Room
There should be no dense shadows and
flickering
Elderly Persons
Require higher illuminances and free from glare
Recovery Room
Indirect illumination is necessary
Page 65 of 66
Central Supply Room
Flicker-free & have good general lighting with
low glare
NOTHING FOLLOWS
Page 66 of 66