The Acoustic Performance Assessment in Residential High-Rises as a Salutogenic Approach in Design: Erbil – Kurdistan Region of Iraq as a Case Study

Abstract

The acoustic level of the building is one of the critical design criteria for the privacy and comfort of occupants in the approach to salutogenic design. This attempt to study noise levels in Erbil residential high-rises is hardly described in the literature. This study focuses on the noise level in high-rise residential buildings in Erbil, Iraq. A comparison between two famous residential towers in Erbil has been achieved to evaluate the noise level and find the acoustical advantages and disadvantages of those buildings. Analysis of the plans, direct measurement of sound level, and questionnaire have been applied as primary sources, for this purpose through five channels (outer and inner noise sources analysis, identifying direct sound transmission, indirect flanking sound transmission, perception of the occupants' noise level, and empirical noise level finding). Secondary sources such as books, magazines, and credible internet sources, have been used too. The results demonstrated that commonly, the occupants in both buildings are suffering from acoustical discomfort. However, the shape and form of the building, its location, and construction material can create advantages for one building over another in terms of acoustic results. the result of the current paper can help the designers to make good design decisions in the future in the region of the study.