The Arup SoundLab helps clients make more informed acoustic decisions by immersing them in the sounds of their prospective designs; image via Metropolis.
This week, we sat down with Willem Boning, Acoustics Consultant at Arup’s New York City SoundLab, to uncover the complex relationship between architecture and acoustical treatments. The lesson: Architects must rethink the way that they approach acoustics.
Rather than selecting an acoustical treatment for its finish, architects must broadly and conceptually think about how they want a space to sound and feel. “What excites the Arup SoundLab is to be able to work with an architect or owner to design the sound of a space, not just make it quiet or prevent problems,” Boning said. Should it buzz with excitement or induce serenity so that individuals may independently and quietly work? Seek to tell a narrative with your sound; that’s when Arup’s acousticians can really step in and help.