LECTURE 1: INTRODUCTION TO ACOUSTICS

ACOUSTICS

 defined as the science that deals with the production, control, transmission, reception, and
effects of sound.
 Includes noise control, SONAR for submarine navigation, ultrasounds for medical imaging,
thermo acoustic refrigeration, seismology, bioacoustics, and electro acoustic communication

LINDSAY’S WHEEL OF ACOUSTICS, created by R. Bruce Lindsey (1964).

 Describes the scope of acoustics starting from the four broad

fields:
o Earth sciences
o Engineering
o Life sciences
o Arts
 The outer circle lists the various disciplines one may study to
prepare for a career in acoustics. The inner circle lists the fields
within acoustics that the various discipline.

ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS

 Branch of physics that deals with the production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of
sound.
 Important when designing a desirable atmosphere with concern and control of sound in spaces
 Preserve and enhance desired sound in one space and on the other hand reduce or eliminate
sound that interrupt with our activities known as noise.

SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL (SPL)

 A term most often used in measuring the magnitude of sound in decibels (dB).
 A relative quantity in that it is the ratio between the actual sound pressure and a fixed reference
pressure.
 SPL of a place can be measure with a sound level meter weighted according to a specific
frequency response pattern.
ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING

 Light is the most important factor in the appreciation and understanding of Architecture.
 Light and Architecture.
o It is about energy and matter but in this particular case it also implies an emotional
effect of people.
 Light interacts with us and environment by our vision, experience, and interpretation on
elements.
 PERCEPTION of space is essentially dependent on the lighting situation (object and the observer)
 Dynamic daylight and controlled artificial lighting instigate and provoke different visual
experiences and moods
 Light can perceive different atmospheres in the same physical environment
 Integrates an element of basic relevance for design of spaces

DAYLIGHTING AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING

 Natural light has always been important for architects.

 Architects sculps building in order that the light can play off their different surfaces (space and
light can evoke positive emotional responses in people)
 Always strive towards achieving a building which can draw in as much natural daylight as
possible
 Take into consideration of electrical lighting for a building which need to function both day and
night.
 Buildings not suitable for daylighting:
o Museums and galleries because exposure to natural light could damage the artifacts.
 Consider limitations and opportunities in using natural daylighting as well as artificial lighting
and be able to apply it architecturally to achieve the best performing building.

BALANCE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND ART

 Create a visually appropriate light scene accordingly to the character and use of space
 Sciences of light production and luminaire photometric are important as they are balanced with
the artistic application of light as a medium in our built environment.
 Electrical lighting systems and daylighting systems should be integrated together while
considering the impacts of it.

The fundamental aspects in architectural lighting design for the illumination of building and spaces:

1. Aesthetic appeal
2. Ergonomic aspect
3. Energy efficiency of illumination
 AESTHETIC APPEAL
 Focuses on the importance of illumination in retail environments

ERGONOMIC ASPECT
 Is the measurement of how much function the lighting produces

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
 Covers the issue of light wastage due to over illumination which could happen by
unnecessary illumination of spaces or over providing light sources for aesthetic
purposes
Each of these aspects are important when lighting when lighting works are carried out. It allows
exploration on the attractiveness of the design by either providing subtle or strong lighting
sources which creates different emotions for the users.