It was not until the beginning of the twentieth century that the physicist Wallace Clement Sabine developed his theory of reverberation, which has remained fundamental to architectural acoustics to this day, and has subsequently been applied to many building types, especially those for the performing arts. Yet the practice of architectural acoustics goes back much further with the impressive designs of the Greeks proving highly influential. This comprehensive book explores the development of acoustics in architectural design from the theatres of Classical Greece, through the early development of opera houses, concert halls and theatres, to the research work of Sabine and his successors and its influence on twentieth- and twenty-first-century buildings. Topics covered include: the fundamentals of acoustics; the influential legacy of the Greeks and Romans; the evolving design of opera houses, theatres and concert halls and, finally, the acoustics of schools, music schools and recital halls.

This book is an authoritative but uniquely accessible and highly illustrated guide to good acoustic design practice for architects, interior designers and acoustic professionals. It provides a user-friendly introduction to architectural acoustics and acoustics technology where the market is crowded with dense and technical texts. It will go through each typology in turn explaining the key acoustic concepts with highly illustrated and international case studies that demonstrate cutting-edge practice and technology, innovative design techniques and common challenges and solutions.

Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of principles, materials, and technologies Architectural Acoustics provides the vital information that architects, engineers, and all concerned with the built environment need to control and direct wanted or unwanted sounds within and around buildings. A team of internationally recognized experts presents the very latest information on acoustical materials, technologies, design criteria, and methods for a wide variety of applications, including airports and other transportation facilities; theaters, churches, and concert halls; classrooms, lecture halls, and libraries; music practice rooms and recording studios; sports venues; and all types of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. This comprehensive reference is one of the few books of its kind to include richly detailed case studies that demonstrate real-world applications of acoustic principles, materials, and methods. Nearly two hundred photos and illustrations further elucidate specific principles, applications, and techniques. Topics covered include: * Basic principles of architectural acoustics * Acoustical materials and methods * Building noise control applications

This volume discusses the climate responsiveness of sustainable architecture design and technology in China, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea in recent years, addressing concepts and applications in urban planning, building design, and structural performance evaluation. The four sections of the text cover the theory and implementation of sustainable architecture within various geographic boundaries and contexts, offering an interdisciplinary assessment of the challenges faced in urban areas at different climate zones. The main topics covered are: 1) urban ecological restoration under the influence of climate environment; 2) health and human considerations of building and environment; 3) prototype optimization of sustainable building, and 4) feedback of building performance and design evaluation. The book is intended to be a contribution to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable architecture for applicable use by practitioners, city planners, field researchers, and building operators in building design, construction, usage, operation, and maintenance.

How we experience space by listening: the concepts of aural architecture, with examples ranging from Gothic cathedrals to surround sound home theater. We experience spaces not only by seeing but also by listening. We can navigate a room in the dark, and "hear" the emptiness of a house without furniture. Our experience of music in a concert hall depends on whether we sit in the front row or under the balcony. The unique acoustics of religious spaces acquire symbolic meaning. Social relationships are strongly influenced by the way that space changes sound. In Spaces Speak, Are You Listening?, Barry Blesser and Linda-Ruth Salter examine auditory spatial awareness: experiencing space by attentive listening. Every environment has an aural architecture.The audible attributes of physical space have always contributed to the fabric of human culture, as demonstrated by prehistoric multimedia cave paintings, classical Greek open-air theaters, Gothic cathedrals, acoustic geography of French villages, modern music reproduction, and virtual spaces in home theaters. Auditory spatial awareness is a prism that reveals a culture's attitudes toward hearing and space. Some listeners can learn to "see" objects with their ears, but even without training, we can all hear spatial geometry such as an open door or low ceiling. Integrating contributions from a wide range of disciplines—including architecture, music, acoustics, evolution, anthropology, cognitive psychology, audio engineering, and many others—Spaces Speak, Are You Listening? establishes the concepts and language of aural architecture. These concepts provide an interdisciplinary guide for anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of how space enhances our well-being. Aural architecture is not the exclusive domain of specialists. Accidentally or intentionally, we all function as aural architects.

Over the past two decades there have been many major new developments in the field of urban sound environment. Jian Kang introduces and examines these key developments, including: the development of prediction methods for urban sound propagation establishment and application of noise-mapping software new noise control measures and design methods. Also covered is the new EU directive on noise and the substantial actions it has brought about across Europe. As the importance of soundscape, acoustic comfort and sound environment design have become widely recognized, Urban Sound Environments is a thoroughly useful book for students and practitioners in a wide range of fields, from urban planning and landscape through to architecture and acoustics.

Avoid Costly Mistakes for Specialists and Non-Specialists AlikeBad acoustics in buildings is a nuisance that is not dealt with easily. The problem applies just as much to open-plan offices and restaurants and to production facilities and transportation stations as it does to performance halls, not to mention homes. It does not merely affect oral co