Podcast
Acoustics isn't only about creating quite classrooms. It's a critical part of the overall IEQ of a school—from classrooms to nurses' offices to administration spaces. New and better technologies exist to give schools solutions that achieve what is needed in today's world while keeping budget parameters in mind. These acoustical solutions start at the top with ceilings, and not all ceilings are alike. Join us as Sean Browne, Senior Manager of Research & Development for Armstrong World Industries, walks us through choosing the right ceiling to optimize acoustics for better learning experiences.
Campus Amenities
Islington Junior Middle School in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which serves students in grades PreK–8, recently announced that it has installed new acoustic ceiling and wall tiles in four of its classrooms.
Campus Amenities
Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions recently introduced its Tectum Create! Direct-Attach line of ceiling and wall panels. The textured panels come in a variety of standard and custom designs to add flair and aesthetics to any space.
Campus Facilities
The University of Maryland is a strategic partner of the Techport @ The Airport, a business incubator designed to encourage transfer of technologies developed by the military into the commercial sector. The Incubator provides opportunities for students to gain real world experience and supports programs of the University’s Division of Research and James Clark School of Engineering.
Campus Facilities
Despite widespread perception that architects and designers are fearless innovators, many, in the author’s opinion, are quite resistant to change. When a product works reasonably well, building professionals tend to stick with it until strong evidence justifies a change.
Campus Facilities
A student cafeteria doesn’t have to feel like a student cafeteria. The new Student Dining Commons at Mount Holyoke College – a 1,000-seat, state of the art, anytime dining center created by Boston design firm Bergmeyer – is intended to offer an inviting, personal experience that evokes some of the school’s long tradition of intimate dining rooms. An important element of that effect is an unusual ceiling.
Interiors
Acoustics
When a physical space offers a little passive noise control, such as high cubicle walls, private offices or softer, sound-absorbing materials, the effects on the well-being of each person — as well as their productivity — can be profoundly impacted.
Acoustics
If there is not enough sound absorption in spaces for learning, they are overly loud, reverberant and stressful; not an environment conducive for effective education. Up to one of every four words cannot be understood by students in many classrooms, according to guidelines by the Acoustical Society of America.
Components & Materials
Walls, ceilings and floors, along with all interior and other building elements, must meet budgetary, acoustic, resilience, sustainability and maintenance requirements, with builders weighing such factors and others. Here are some ways that schools are making their interiors stand out.
Adaptive Reuse for Education
There are countless opportunities to create new and innovative learning environments within existing buildings.
- By Ian Kilpatrick
- 11/01/19
Facilities (Walls, Ceilings & Floors)
- By Sarat Pratapchandran
- 09/01/19
Case Histories (Real-World Solutions)
Case Histories (Real-World Solutions)
Impact on Learning
Case Histories (Real-World Solutions)
Case Histories (Real-World Solutions)
Impact on Learning
Case Histories (Real-World Solutions)
Facilities (Learning Spaces)
A planning primer for band and choral room acoustics design.
- By Regan Shields Ives, Ben Markham
- 02/01/16
Case History (Real-World Solutions)
Case History (Real-World Solutions)
Case Histories (Real-World Solutions)
An increasing number of options in materials, furnishings and finishes is leading to vibrant, inviting design.
- By Stuart McCormick
- 04/01/15
Education Interiors
"Next-Generation Learning" is having a significant affect on interior design.
Impact on Learning
Impact on Learning