Principle dimensions of perceptual attributes in indoor public spaces

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the principal dimensions of perceptual attributes in indoor public spaces. Healthcare, working, cultural, educational, leisure, worship, and transportation spaces (e.g., bus, train, metro stations, and airports) were chosen as public spaces. Three members of the research team independently listened to all 70 binaural recordings, taken from indoor spaces, and for each recording identified whether human-generated sounds (e.g., conversation, laughter, footsteps, and coughing), technology-related sounds (e.g., mechanical and electronic sounds) and/or environmental sounds dominated. University students (n=120) performed a listening test to assess 70 binaural recordings of indoor soundscapes on users' attribute scale. Principal component analysis shows that there are two prominent groups: pleasantness and eventfulness. Perceived sound environments dominated by technology-related sounds were found to be unpleasant, while the acoustic environments dominated by human-generated sounds were eventful.