conference room design


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What is a conference room?

A conference hall orconference

room is a room provided for singularevents such as business conferences

and meetings. It is commonly found

at large hotels and convention

centers though many otherestablishments, including even

hospitals, have one.


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Activity

A conference room isimportant in terms ofcommunication, both internallyand externally.

The design of the conferenceroom can effectively

communicate the company'svalues.

A conference room hostsmeetings where everyonearound the table must be ableto hear and be heard, makingspeech clarity a crucialelement.

Good sound insulation is alsonecessary in order to achieveprivacy.


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A conference room is designedfor two acoustic purposes

Confine sound within the walls so peopleon the outside cannot hear what is said

inside;

Create a good environment forconversations, both those made withinand those made through a

speakerphone or similar.


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Acoustics in Conference

rooms

When designing a room for speech it is importantto give consideration to how the room will sound at

the early design stage on order to optimize speechintelligibility.

The acoustic design should give consideration tothe following factor:

Indoor ambient noise levels/ sound isolation Reverberation time and hence, room size and

acoustic absorption required.

Room geometry reflections

HVAC System


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INDOOR AMBIENT NOISE LEVELS

One of the most critical elements in roomdesign as the speakers voice needs to beclearly heard above the background noise. Thiswill assist with speech intelligibility but alsoprevent undue strain to the speaker and willminimize distraction.

Background noise can come from a numberof sources:

External traffic, planes and trains etc. entering

via external walls and windows. Noise from circulation corridors, foyers, toilets

within the same or adjacent development. Air conditioning and mechanical plant serving

the room.


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SOUND ISOLATION

Sound isolation means exactly what theterm impliesthat the room needs to be

acoustically isolated from outside noise,and that it needs to stop private

conversations from being heard outsidethe room.

It is important that sound generatedfrom outside the Conference Room not

be transmitted into the room.


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External sounds can come from anydirection, so floors, walls and ceilings allplay a major role in isolating the room fromsound disturbances. The higher the Sound

Transmission Class (STC) rating of a surface,the better that surface is for isolatingexternal sounds.

SOUND ISOLATION


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Initially, the designer should review the sitelayout. If possible, position the room awayfrom busy roads or other noisy areas. Forinstance, allow for a circulation corridor or

storeroom between the lecture room andanother noisy space like a canteen.Appropriate placement on architecturalplans during the design phase canprovide a significant saving in noise

control treatment during construction.

SOUND ISOLATION


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REVERBERATION TIME

Speech intelligibility is also a function of theReverberation Time (RT). RT is a parameter thatobjectively describes the echoic quality of aroom.

A suspendedceiling will blockintruding noiseand absorb sound

within the room -minimizingreverberation.


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Proper wall construction that extends above theceiling to the deck can preserve privacy and

reduce intruding distractions.

The addition of wall treatments can furtherreduce reverberation and enhance speech

privacy.


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SoundAbsorption


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Room Geometry The shape of the room, the location of its

surfaces and whether these surfaces areabsorptive or reflective, all determine theloudness of the speech signal and

contribute to its intelligibility.As the room size increases, the greater

the reliance on the room geometry toprovide an appropriate environment.Communication is further compromised if

the boardroom is excessively reverberant,impacting not only communication withinthe room but also the sound quality at theother end of a teleconference or videoconference.


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Sound Reflection

1. Direct sound; reflections by: 2. ceiling; 3.

walls; 4. floors; 5. smooth surfaces (windows)


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HVAC Systems

Heating, ventilation and airconditioning systems are

often a source ofundesirable sound in aConference Room.


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Case Study A new 3 story building was constructed for an

organization that deals with advocacy, policies,group risk management administration and otherservices for member organizations. Themanagement and staff both require privacy dueto sensitivity of the members information handledby the organization. The entry reception lobby is atwo story atrium, open to ground level and thefloor above. The owner occupants planned andconstructed a mixture of perimeter private offices

(enclosed), cubicles, and conference rooms andvarious other interior rooms for work, lounge/break, storage and support spaces on each of thethree floors.


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Architectural Finishes and

Furnishes


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Acoustical Issues

Speech Privacy and distracting intrusivenoise in conference rooms; causing loss of

confidentiality for sensitive informationand speech interference in conferencecommunications. Distractions includedconversational speech, telephone/speakerphone use and business machine

noise from adjacent offices andoccupant speech and activity generatednoise from nearby open-offices.


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Observations

Conference Rooms: Partitions are notadequately sealed at intersections with

exterior window mullions. In locationswhere partitions do not extend aboveceilings, return air openings in soffits permitcross-talk flanking sound.


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Acoustical RecommendationsSound Isolation- privacy and freedom from intrusivenoise

Isolate sensitive spaces and functions.

Conference rooms diminishing partition intersections

with window mullions: Use acoustical sealant orpermanently pliable fire caulk to seal gap betweenmullion and partition.

Conference Room ceiling soffit with return air slot: Blockceiling plenum path

Conference room doors: Install Acoustical seals onheads, jambs and thresholds to replace existing brushpile infiltration seals or silencer bumpers.


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SUMMARYThe design process should flow the followingorder:

Determine what the internal noise levelsshould be and select constructions for thebuilding envelope based on the externalnoise resources affecting the space.

Arrive at an appropriate reverberationtime design criterion and determine howmuch acoustic treatment will be requiredin addition to the audience.


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A properly designed Conference Room willtake into account factors that candetrimentally affect acoustic properties.

By designing surfaces and barriers that havehigher STC ratings, by installing soundabsorbing materials on walls, floors andceilings, and by paying careful attention tolocating HVAC and other mechanical systems,

a designer can achieve room design thatprovides and acoustically pleasantenvironment.

SUMMARY


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Successful acoustical design is a detail-oriented process, both in terms ofspecification and construction. Careful

material and systems specifications areimperative, as are good constructionpractices. The key to success is carefulattention to detail during all phases ofplanning, design and construction.

SUMMARY


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THANK YOU!

conference room design

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