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Showing posts from February, 2015

The Sound of Silence

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Think of your ideal place to relax. Now tell me: what does this place sound like? Chances are it doesn't sound anything remotely close to a rock concert. Why then, does the world around us insist on creating spaces that can often be classified as acoustical nightmares? From the home to commercial spaces, we have become numb to the effect that these "noisy" design aesthetics have on our lives. Over the past few years, I have become increasingly passionate about uncovering the effects of acoustics in design. Think about how open concept has changed the home. Think about how hard, loud surfaces heighten the sound in a restaurant. I believe that "loud" design elements have a direct correlation with increased stress and irritability - however minor it may be. Factor in an aging population with increased hearing sensitivity, and you have an increasingly important design dilemma. I truly believe that consumers are making their choice at which restaurant to dine bas