Building Acoustics

Controlling sound and noise in a built environment

Impact
  • Creating a quieter world
  • Help design buildings and spaces to create and manage the listening environment 
  • Provide a higher level of comfort for living, working, and healing
  • Map noise environment
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Sound control through walls/floors
  • Acoustical finishes and reverberation control
  • Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing noise control
  • Vibration isolation
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Computational modeling
  • Fieldwork
SKILLS DEVELOPED
  • Communication
  • Project Management 
  • 3D Modeling
  • Data analysis
  • Critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Collaboration with architects and engineers
Project Types
  • Recording & Broadcast Studios
  • Movie & Performing Arts Theaters
  • Music Practice and Performance 
  • Sound booths
  • Lecture Halls
  • Houses of Worship
  • Hospitals / Healthcare
  • K-12 Schools and Colleges
  • Offices / Workspaces
  • Hotels and Casinos
  • Condos and Apartments
Affiliations
  • Acoustical Society of America (ASA)
  • National Council of Acoustical Consultants (NCAC)
  • Institute of Noise Control Engineers (INCE)
  • Audio Engineering Society (AES)
College Pathways
  • Select a major that will provide a strong background: physics, engineering, architecture, structures, music/music technology, math, acoustics
  • Look for electives in acoustics and noise control
  • Apply for internships at Acoustical Consulting Firms, JoinHandshake.com, ASA’s SUREIA program, Architecture Firms
EXPLORE
  • Focus on key subjects: physics, computer science, math, music, architecture, engineering, language arts
  • Try out online acoustics tools and look at ExploreSound.org and ASAStudent.org
  • Listen to your environment
  • Listen to your city/town
  • Try to find where sounds are coming from
  • Train your ears to hear differences

Learn more

See also:

Industrial noise, Noise monitoring

 

Student Resources
Read about Acousticians in the field

Lily M. Wang

Links
Video

Getting into Acoustic Engineering