A look at designing and integrating acoustics and sustainability

Abstract

Designing with sensitivity toward our natural environment relates not only to the resources that are used in the design, construction, and ongoing operation of buildings, but also to creating environments inspired by nature to achieve a level of comfort in our surroundings. Green building design is by no means at odds with the goals of acoustic design. An overarching byproduct of good design should be an environment that is both pleasing to the ear and to the earth’s resources. These principles can be subtle and subdued, such as in the reuse of building materials in the Writer’s Theatre and the design of buildings to be flexible insuring longevity for Duke University. Or, rather than pouring energy into creating materials, buildings for music can be engineered with stiffness in mind to maintain energy and body, such as in the new orchestra shell at the Lyric Opera in Chicago. More traditionally, the Tower at PNC Plaza’s tagline is the “world’s greenest skyscraper;” yet, the interior of the office space shows minimal obvious signs of LEED influence. Alternatively, nature’s touch is right on the sleeve of the National Research Defense Counsel project with the inclusion of foliage grown directly on the walls.