Acoustics


Campus Audio

Listen Up: Creating More Equitable Learning Environments

A simple and tangible step that K–12 leaders can take to support all students more effectively is to make sure students can hear their teachers and their classmates. When students can hear instruction clearly, everyone benefits.

The Thacher School walk through area with study nook

Evidence-Based Design

Opening the Doors to Evidence-Based Design In Ojai, California

In 2021, the Thacher School, located in Ojai, Calif., opened the doors to its project-based learning hub. The space was designed to support a multidisciplinary learning environment with collaborative common areas and classrooms that provide greater flexibility in their use.

Linea Slimline Acoustic LED System

Campus Amenities

Luxxbox Upgrades Linea Slimline Acoustic LED System

Luxxbox, which provides acoustic and flexible workspace solutions, recently announced significant upgrades to its slimline acoustic LED system.

Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

Podcast

Schools In Focus: Creating Healthy Schools by Improving IEQ

Today’s guest is Kristin Moore, the Vice President of Market Segments at Armstrong World Industries. We'll talk about the importance of indoor environmental quality in creating and maintaining healthy learning spaces for kids.

Acoustics and Audio Enhancement Technologies

Instructional Audio Helps Students Succeed

Access to intelligible, clear audio has never been more important with educators and students back in classrooms across the nation.

Campus Amenities

Birchwood Lighting Releases New Acoustic Luminaries, Panels

Birchwood Lighting recently announced the launch of a new set of acoustic luminaries and panels designed for large, open spaces. The BWA250 luminaries and panels are intended to provide both seamless illumination and sound dampening capabilities in environments like open office spaces, common areas and education spaces.

Campus Amenities

Toronto Junior Middle School Installs New Acoustic Panels

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.

NJ County Prep High School Recording Equipment

School Facilities

NJ High School Adds New Recording Studio to Learning Spaces

A career and technical high school in New Jersey has added new professional recording gear to one of its teaching spaces. County Prep High School, part of Hudson County Schools of Technology, added hardware from Solid State Logic (SSL), a UK-based company that manufactures analog and digital audio consoles for music and audio production. Students in the music and audio technology program learn how to write their own songs and produce their own music.

Nureva HDL300 audio conferencing system

Campus Facilities

Athens State University Adds Nureva Audio Systems to Classrooms

Athens State University, located in Athens, Ga., recently installed Nureva HDL300 audio conferencing systems in almost 30 classrooms on campus.

Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling 2 (TCC2) system

Campus Facilities

USF Tackles Classroom HyFlex Learning Work

An effort at the University of South Florida has resulted in nearly a hundred classrooms being readied for simultaneous remote and in-person learning. The updates included installation of touchless sound systems and dual cameras.



Office spaces at Scott Hall.

Acoustics

Retrofitting University Buildings for Sound Masking

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.

Walker Grant Center. OddBox Studios; courtesy of Rockfon

Acoustics

How the Right Acoustic Ceiling Can Improve a School's Performance

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.

Elementary students in a classroom working at their desks.

Classroom Components

Comfort Is Critical for Student Success. Here Are 3 Simple Factors to Consider.

Why address comfort in the design of a learning space? When students are physically comfortable, they’re more at ease: They can relax, block out negative thoughts and focus more effectively on instruction.

Carrie Busey Elementary School library carpet tile. Credit: Scott Berman

Components & Materials

It’s All in the Details: Walls, Ceilings and Floors

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.

colorful floor

Case Histories (Real-World Solutions)

Colorful floors. Quiet hallways.

How Interface LVT brought peace of mind to the Reading Friends school building

noisy classroom

Facilities (Walls, Ceilings & Floors)

The Noisy Classroom

Boston Univeristy School of Medicine

Facility Focus (Libraries / Learning Commons)

Boston University School of Medicine: Alumni Medical Library

Carnegie Mellon University

Facility Focus (Libraries / Learning Commons)

Carnegie Mellon University: Sorrell's Engineering & Science Library Renovation

armstrong

Case Histories (Real-World Solutions)

Undulating Ceiling Helps Quiet Noisy Cafeteria

Armstrong Tectum Direct-Attach acoustical panels

Case Histories (Real-World Solutions)

Direct-Attach Ceiling Panels Improve Acoustics

Resimericial Design

Facilities (Learning Spaces)

Resimercial Design

Creating learning environments that positively impact students.

5 Steps to a More Sustainable School

Miami University

Impact on Learning

Miami University

Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster

Impact on Learning

Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster

Acoustical Considerations

Facilities (Learning Spaces)

Acoustical Considerations for 21st-Century K-12 Learning Environments

Today's educational trends require sound acoustical design.

Hot Tips (Acoustics)

Flooring's Affect on Noise Levels

Hot Tips (Accoustics)

Flooring's Role in Acoustics

Ceiling Provides Aesthetics and Acoustics

Case Histories (Real-World Solutions)

Ceiling Provides Aesthetics and Acoustics