Acoustics and the leadership in energy and environmental design rating systems.

Abstract

The leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) rating systems address acoustics explicitly in but a few of their many credits. More profound are the implications of LEED‐driven design on a building acoustics, typically in pursuit of LEED credits where no explicit reference to acoustics, noise, or acoustical design exists. Using project case studies as a guide, this presentation will outline some of the conflicts as well as synergies between “best practice” acoustical design and design decisions made on the basis of achieving certain LEED credits. A range of example credits will be presented along with the ramifications of such credits on building acoustics, including the effects of sustainable site credits on environmental noise isolation, energy and atmosphere credits on background noise levels, materials and resources credits on acoustical material specification, and indoor environmental quality credits on sound isolation and other acoustical design elements.