The Rising Importance of Acoustics in Interior Design

We can see a space through colors, shapes, and visual cues. How we feel a space has many more components such as textures, aromas, and the user experience of the whole environment. One such way to experience the space is through sound. Acoustical comfort has always been very important in any environment, especially in workplaces where people spend the majority of their daytime. Thoughtful acoustic design can transform the way people interact with a space – ensuring it is not only mitigating the noise, but also bringing beautiful elements and textures into the space.

Understanding Sound Behavior

To address acoustics effectively, it is essential to understand how sound behaves within a space. There are three primary pathways of sound behavior:

  1. Transmission – Sound traveling through a medium, such as walls, floors, or ceilings.
  2. Reflection – Sound bouncing off hard surfaces, creating echoes and noise buildup.
  3. Absorption – Sound being absorbed by materials, reducing reverberation and enhancing clarity.
Wall panels for acoustic absorption, Carnegie Showroom, 41 West 25th Street

Absorption is particularly important in managing reflections. Acoustic products are rated using the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC), which measures a material’s ability to absorb sound. At the beginning of any design project, an acoustic analysis should be conducted, considering factors such as occupant density and space usage to ensure optimal sound control.

Acoustical light fixtures, Hello Fresh, 28 Liberty Street
Acoustics and Human Well-Being

With people spending over 90% of their time indoors, the impact of noise on human health cannot be ignored. Excessive noise from HVAC systems, office chatter, technology, and external disturbances can contribute to elevated stress levels, increased cortisol production, and even long-term health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Addressing these challenges through effective acoustic solutions is not just about comfort, it’s about enhancing well-being and performance in workplaces, homes, and public environments.

Common Acoustic Challenges and Solutions

Our Principal of Interior Design, Annie Lee, has worked extensively to solve acoustic challenges in projects throughout her career. Here are some common issues she has encountered and ways to address them:

Planning acoustics from the beginning as part of the design process
Acoustic design starts when the design starts. While there are many solutions that can be used as topical materials, true acoustical design begins from the planning stage. Separation of the quiet spaces from noisy areas, appropriate wall constructions and insulation for sound attenuation, and applying single glazing and double glazing as the space requires, are just a few examples of the many acoustic considerations to plan for throughout the design process.

Retrofitting acoustics in existing or prebuilt spaces
While designing with acoustics in mind during the planning stage is always helpful, occupying an existing or prebuilt space is very common. We can still address acoustical values of the space by taking the right steps. Identifying noise sources informs us which solutions we need to use. Concrete floors, an open ceiling with no sound absorptive materials, glass walls, open plans, or loud HVAC systems, can all be causes of noise issues. Ceiling baffles, acoustic wall panels, double glazing, or isolating café or pantry areas can all help mitigate noise issues very successfully post-construction.

Designated quiet area, Doctors Without Borders, 40 Rector Street

Cultural renovation can play a large part to acoustical comfort in the workplace
Zoom or Teams calls have become essential collaboration tools in today’s workplaces. In an open work environment, multiple calls can happen at the same time while others are trying to focus. Collective decisions on areas to be quiet or places that can be lively in an office environment can provide not only acoustical, but also cultural comfort to everyone. Dedicating a space to be a library or quiet area, where everyone is agreed not to speak or call, can provide a place for focus work. Similarly, some designated places to be active and buzzy such as pantry, multi-purpose, or open collaboration areas can bring everyone together affirming the value of in-person interactions.

Phone rooms, News Corp, 1211 Avenue of the Americas

Acoustical Furniture, accessories, art and biophilia
Acoustic solutions do not stop at walls and ceilings. In today’s market, every item that we incorporate into the interior design can contribute to the acoustical comfort of the space. There are many furniture items that provide sound isolation for voices. Phone rooms are a great application of just such a use. There are also decorative items that can bring beauty to the space while providing acoustical values. Acoustical light fixtures, pillows, wall art, drapery, planters, or coat hangers – the choices are endless. Biophilia is another magical way to bring sound absorption while providing health and well-being to the occupants.

Acoustic light fixtures, PVH, 205 West 39th Street
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