Study and Improvement of Acoustic Conditions in Public Spaces of Shopping Malls

Nikolay Kanev

doi:10.3390/acoustics3010011

Abstract

Acoustic comfort in shopping malls is one of the aspects that influence the shopping environment. Making enjoyable and comfortable retail and public spaces is demanded when designing and managing properties. This paper focuses on the study of the public spaces with a large volume in the operating malls, which are perceived as acoustically uncomfortable. The main reason for poor acoustic conditions is a too long reverberation, as the measured reverberation time reached 4–5 s at middle frequencies. The usual way to improve the acoustics is to apply sound-absorbing materials on space surfaces. Two examples of improving acoustic conditions in food courts are given. In both cases, the reverberation time was reduced by about half, and changes in acoustics were considered significant and positive. It is shown the Sabine’s equation is valid for considered spaces. Average absorption coefficients are found by means of the Sabine’s equation and can be used for quick estimation of the reverberation time in similar spaces without the absorbing treatment. Based on the analysis of this and other studies, a method for qualitative assessment of the public space acoustics is proposed.

Highlights

Success of the retail industry is strongly connected with an enjoyable and comfortable shopping environment
An acoustic survey of several shopping malls has shown that public spaces withouttwo thr for reverberation time values
It is recognized that the creation of comfortable conditions in the shopping malls is important for their commercial success

Summary

Introduction

Success of the retail industry is strongly connected with an enjoyable and comfortable shopping environment. A range of physical characteristics such as lighting, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, interior layout, and acoustics have an impact on employees and shoppers. Most retail sounds are inappropriate and accidental and have a dramatic effect on sales. When experiencing a dreadful sound in a store, a significant number of customers are inclined to leave faster or not even enter at all. According to [1,2] bad retail soundscapes can lead to a 28% decrease in sales. The revenue of retail shops can go up by 5–10% when the acoustic environment is optimized. Some shopping mall owners and managers recognize these features and pay attention to the acoustics during the design of new malls or try to improve the acoustics of operating ones

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion