Acoustically Diffuse & Absorbent Lightweight Aerated Concrete (ADALAC)
Category
Decorative Concrete
Description
The acoustical character of occupied space is defined by built environments which reflects, diffuses, and absorbs frequencies prior to aural reception and comprehension. Placement and articulation of surfaces directly relate to how desired sounds and unwanted noises reach and impact occupants. Various resources define the relationship between the aural environment and occupant productivity, retention, performance, stress, etc. Occupant well-being is the common thread throughout design typologies and programming exercises. The work presented here showcases research and development of fabricated prototypical concrete panels by manipulating ingredients and form, yielding acoustical properties conducive to speech frequencies (specifically Noise Reduction Coefficients). Developed through experimental and prototypical concrete with specific admixtures, excessive reverberation can be strategically reflected through density, more evenly distributed through deliberate shaping and contouring, and absorbed through porous surfaces to support speech intelligibility, clarity, and useful sound reflections. Design concepts were vetted through computational design and economy of scale with attention to modularity and structural integration. The presented research developed through spatial analysis, software validation, laboratory tests, material science, and prototypical fabrications bolster the potential for functional, sustainable, resilient, and productive space interwoven with and codependent upon acoustics. The tangible result serves as a contributor to public health, safety, and welfare.
Share