A well-lit, well-ventilated office can still be difficult to occupy if noise levels are excessive, or weak acoustic control lets conversations travel freely across the floor. Acoustic comfort often receives less attention than daylighting or indoor air quality, yet it influences occupant experience and performance just as directly.

Good acoustics support comfort, productivity, and wellbeing, whereas poor acoustics do the opposite; they disturb cognitive function and can even change occupant behaviour over time. Despite this, acoustic design is still one of the most overlooked pieces of indoor environmental quality. In practice, two challenges frequently arise: acoustic materials that don’t meet green building standards for energy efficiency or material quality, and design choices, like natural ventilation or interior glazing for daylight, that unintentionally reduce sound insulation.

Why acoustics need a holistic approach
Acoustic design cannot be considered in isolation. It must be integrated with broader sustainability measures from the start, while accounting for the trade-offs that come with that integration. This process should begin during the survey and assessment phase, when site conditions are being evaluated, rather than after key design decisions have already been made.

Integrative steps for better acoustic performance

• Pre-design assessment
  Begin by evaluating the site for potential sources of noise and vibration to minimise the risk of structure-borne noise issues later in the project. At the same time, assess how energy optimisation measures, daylighting strategies, and ventilation approaches may influence acoustic performance, as these elements are often developed independently of acoustic considerations.
• Design assessment
  The intended function of a space should be established first, followed by the acoustic criteria required to support that function. Early decisions regarding room volume, geometry, size, and shape can also reduce the need for additional acoustic treatments at later stages.
• Space planning
  Noise-neutral buffer spaces, such as stairwells or storage areas, can be used to separate noisy and quiet zones. Compartmentalising spaces also helps minimise flanking transmission where sound travels between rooms through shared structural elements.
• Mechanical and natural ventilation systems
  Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems should be selected and located with acoustics in mind. Larger ducts operating at lower fan speeds, as well as the use of pumps instead of fans where appropriate, can help reduce noise generation. Window orientation should also be considered alongside acoustic measures such as diffusers and sound-absorbing materials on the relevant facade.
• Room geometry and 3D visualisation
  3D visualisation tools enable project teams to evaluate the acoustic implications of different material selections before construction begins. These visualisations can also support discussions with clients by illustrating the impact of design decisions and associated trade-offs.
• Material selection
  Balancing hard and soft finishes can help address acoustic challenges. Open or loose-fill materials within cavities can improve sound absorption, while acoustic tiles that absorb less Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) odour and moisture contribute to overall material performance. Thicker laminated glazing can also be effective in mitigating low-frequency noise.
• Testing sound levels post-occupancy
  Acoustic evaluation should extend beyond project handover. Testing under varying occupancy conditions and at different times of operation provides a more accurate understanding of performance and identifies opportunities for further refinement where necessary.

Why efficient duct design can be a game changer
Mechanical ventilation systems are among the most significant contributors to background noise within buildings, and relatively small design decisions can have a substantial impact on acoustic outcomes. Measures that improve energy efficiency, such as orienting elbows to rotate airflow in the same direction as the fan or using larger ducts to maintain air volumes at lower velocities, can also reduce noise levels. Incorporating sound-absorbing turning vanes within ducts can further mitigate acoustic impact.

Are your spaces meeting the right acoustic standards?
WELL v2 is the current version of the WELL Building Standard, a global certification that rates how well a building supports the health and comfort of the people inside it. It establishes defined thresholds for background noise. Average sound pressure levels may exceed baseline levels by up to 4 decibels (dB), while maximum levels can have a tolerance of up to 9 dB, depending on the space type, including open workspaces, enclosed offices, conference rooms, and classrooms used during evening hours.

Speech Privacy Potential (SPP) requirements vary by space. For enclosed offices receiving sound from neighbouring enclosed offices, the minimum SPP is 75, increasing to 85 when the sound source is a conference room. Open office environments require a minimum SPP of 70 regardless of the source. Enclosed quiet zones should achieve a minimum SPP of 75, although walls with sliding doors may comply with a threshold that is 5 points lower.

Impact noise requirements follow a similar approach, with criteria covering dwelling units, fitness and pool areas, enclosed offices and conference rooms, open workspaces, and retail or restaurant environments. Requirements differ based on whether the floor-ceiling assembly is located above or below the space being evaluated.

The growing role of acoustics in green buildings
Acoustic performance is increasingly being recognised as a core component of building quality and carries meaningful value within green building certification frameworks.

The WELL Building Standard recognises measures such as sound mapping, effective background sound management, sound barriers and absorptive treatments, sound masking strategies, and impact noise control.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4 places additional emphasis on acoustic performance for specific building typologies. Requirements include reduced HVAC background noise, improved sound transmission and isolation, enhanced reverberation control, and stronger building envelope acoustic performance. These considerations form part of the certification pathway for projects pursuing LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C), including schools, warehouses, and new construction developments.

The takeaway
Acoustic comfort is not a finishing layer applied at the end of a project. It is a design consideration that should be addressed early, evaluated throughout the design process, and balanced alongside broader sustainability objectives. When integrated effectively, the benefits are reflected not only in certification outcomes but also in the way occupants experience and use a space every day.