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Designing spaces for every listener

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Abstract

Inclusive design aims at objects and environments that are accessible, usable and comfortable for all people throughout their entire lifespan. In architecture, this aim is usually associated with physical accessibility. Yet acoustic qualities may considerably impact usability and comfort as well, especially in spaces for listening. This case study explores the notion of acoustic comfort for all in the context of university education. One auditorium, situated in a historic building and subject to renovation in the near future, is studied in detail: acoustic obstacles are identified in collaboration with user/experts and are measured in situ; specific interventions are proposed in consultation with building professionals, technicians and conservation specialists and are tested using dedicated acoustic simulation software. The study draws attention to the importance of acoustic comfort for all and offers a first view of which solutions are possible and desirable and how these can be obtained.

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Acknowledgments

The case study reported on is based on the Master thesis of Karolien De Leye and Eva Dooms. Special thanks are due to the user/experts, the Technical services of the K.U.Leuven, and KIDS (Royal Institute for Deaf and Speech Impaired). Ann Heylighen’s research has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013)/ERC grant agreement no. 201673.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Architecture, Urbanism & Planning, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (K.U.Leuven), Kasteelpark Arenberg 1 box 2431, 3001, Leuven, Belgium

    Ann Heylighen

  2. Laboratory of Building Physics & Laboratory of Acoustics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (K.U.Leuven), Leuven, Belgium

    Monika Rychtáriková & Gerrit Vermeir

Authors
  1. Ann Heylighen
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  2. Monika Rychtáriková
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  3. Gerrit Vermeir
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Correspondence to Ann Heylighen.

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Heylighen, A., Rychtáriková, M. & Vermeir, G. Designing spaces for every listener. Univ Access Inf Soc 9, 283–292 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-009-0175-y

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