Let?s talk acoustics In addition to writing about architecture for several publications, Kate Wagner has worked as a sound engineer with expertise in recording engineering, product development, and research. She is currently a graduate student in Acoustics as part of a joint program between Johns Hopkins University and Peabody Conservatory, with a focus in architectural acoustics.
When we build and design our homes, acoustics are probably the last things on our minds. How many of us think actively about what our dwellings sound like" As is often the case with acoustics, they are out of sight and therefore out of mind?until a problem arises.
Maybe the sound of the stereo in a teenager?s bedroom echoes throughout the house or the noise of passing trains makes it difficult to sleep. Or perhaps your neighbor in the apartment next door complained that she can hear your TV through the wall.
The field of acoustics leaves most people baffled, and many builders and developers don?t prioritize spending money on acoustical consulting to ensure that homes and apartments sound pleasing to residents.
Fortunately, one does not need to study the concert halls of the 19th century to be able to talk about sound in rooms. For everyday individuals, a simple understanding of common problems can lead to easy DIY fixes.
Understanding sound in your home
Sound in a room has four main relationships with the room?s surfaces: It can be absorbed, transmitted, reflected, or diffuse...