LPA University: The Benefits of Designing for Acoustics

LPA+U (LPA University) is dedicated to providing cutting-edge research pertaining to sustainable design to LPA staff, affiliated professionals and our clients.

To bring education to the forefront of our efforts, LPA continues LPA+U webinar series next week with a presentation you don’t want to miss.

Did you know that excessive noise and reverberation in a classroom interferes with speech intelligibility, resulting in reduced understanding? In fact, the speech intelligibility rating for many U.S. classrooms is a dismal 75 percent or less.

Acoustical design impacts how well students hear and how effectively employees work. When we take the extra step to understand the needs of our users, including the ability to maintain privacy and to be heard, we create impactful environments that enrich lives.

Using examples and cutting-edge strategies from real-life projects designed by LPA, we will take you behind the scenes of smart acoustical design and learn how you can apply these important lessons to your school or office. Join Interior Designer Emily Koch, CEFP, Interior Designer and Associate Kate Mraw, and MEP Design Director and Principal Erik Ring for an LPA University webinar you can view at the convenience of your home or office.

What you'll learn at the next LPA+U:

• Understand basic acoustic principles and common design challenges.
• Recognize the importance of noise reduction and speech intelligibility in differing learning environments.
• Identify the challenges of maintaining speech privacy and minimizing distractions in workplaces.
• Learn research and best practices for acoustical design.

The webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 12 PM Pacific. AIA members can also receive continuing education units (your AIA member number is required.) Sign up now to reserve your spot.

(For more information about acoustical design, please click Play below.)