Indoor soundscapes at home during the COVID-19 lockdown in London – Part II: A structural equation model for comfort, content, and well-being

Applied Acoustics, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 185, P. 108379 - 108379

Published: Sept. 8, 2021

The present work constitutes the sequel to analysis of data from an online survey administered 464 home workers in London January 2021 during COVID-19 lockdown. Perceived affective quality indoor soundscapes has been assessed through a previously developed model, as combination two perceptual dimensions, one related

Language: Английский

---

Indoor soundscape in primary school classrooms

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 154(3), P. 1813 - 1826

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Soundscape research on indoor environments is emerging as a topic to be addressed for the design of supportive, healthier, and more comfortable spaces. Only few studies so far context educational buildings, mainly focusing high schools universities. This pilot study uses questionnaires based pictorial scales investigate soundscape classrooms primary school children (n = 130; 8-10 years old). Perceived loudness affective dimensions pleasantness arousal were explored. Besides actual soundscape, children's ideal was investigated well. The results indicate that most frequent sounds in are generated by students themselves (voices, movements) followed traffic. urban modulates perception when windows open ensure natural ventilation. Pleasantness associated with students' age, perceived loudness, frequency voices nearby classrooms. hearing (children's voices) sirens affects arousal. Our at mostly exposed unpleasant sounds, whereas their preferred ones music nature-related ones. findings have implications positive inclusive learning environments.

Language: Английский

---

A state-of-the-art, systematic review of indoor environmental quality studies in work-from-home settings

Building and Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 259, P. 111652 - 111652

Published: May 15, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in working from home worldwide, making the work-from-home (WFH) setting crucial context for studying influence of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on workers' well-being and productivity. A narrative visual synthesis 41 research articles IEQ WFH settings was conducted identify factors being measured their correlations with perceived productivity well-being. This review shows that conditions at were mainly within recommended international standards. However, some high maxima recorded, particularly metrics related air partly due wider availability evidence, which raised concerns regarding suitability while home. Despite presence these maxima, workers generally rated all highly. could possibly reflect lack awareness changes conditions, suggesting monitoring might be necessary when Compared traditional offices, seemed more satisfied although found deficient sound insulation, ergonomic technological support, leading multiple health complaints. Several studies have also demonstrated between assessments those productivity, physical mental Future should consider using longitudinal study design including representative samples, different seasons, multi-domain analyses, multicountry multicultural settings.

Language: Английский

---

The actual and ideal indoor soundscape for work, relaxation, physical and sexual activity at home: A case study during the COVID-19 lockdown in London

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Dec. 29, 2022

The period of home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic made importance a high-quality surrounding environment even more evident than before. Several studies have been carried out to assess (negative) impacts noise on annoyance, particularly whilst working from (WFH). present study takes step further by (1) investigating positive and negative "actual" acoustic range activities, i.e., WFH, relaxation, physical, sexual (2) identifying characteristics an "ideal" indoor soundscape. is based qualitative analysis verbal descriptions collected open-ended questions included in survey administered January 2021 464 respondents living London, lockdown. actual scenario varied no effect task execution, disruption, distraction, concern disturbing others or being heard. Positive support concentration, motivation, freedom sound expression, feeling connected surroundings comforted presence others, according mechanisms described study. Negative appraisal could trigger coping strategies (e.g., controlling windows, playing music, wearing headphones) behavioural changes lowering volume voice muting oneself call, changing workout type) that turn limit enhance behaviour, affect foster wellbeing. were most frequently reported WFH (by 55% participants), followed relaxation activities (40.6%), (30.1%), (20.1%). ideal soundscape was as quiet, well-sound insulated environment, which guarantees access sounds (i.e., natural sounds, urban background), thus resulting privacy, intimacy, place where express themselves without noise-related constraints. complements literature findings housing design directions light pandemic, providing evidence poor insulation at home, potential benefits nature-based solutions for soundscapes, opportunities activity-based domestic environments, inclusive broader set uses household compositions.

Language: Английский

---

Satisfaction with activity-support and physical home-workspace characteristics in relation to mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal of Environmental Psychology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 81, P. 101826 - 101826

Published: May 27, 2022

Previous research indicates that employees' mental health might be influenced by their satisfaction with physical office characteristics, such as noise, daylight, and ventilation. However, similar on in relation to working from home (WFH) is limited. Therefore, this study aimed identify the relationships between workspace characteristics support of work activities while WFH during COVID-19 pandemic. Relationships were analysed using a path analysis approach, based sample 1219 workers, who had fully home. The internal ten considered variables also studied. Results showed artificial light, greenery, views outside directly related one indirectly several others. Surprisingly, temperature, ventilation, air quality did not seem play role at workplace. In addition, unlike office, personal relate nor perceived Furthermore, all least other variable. Workplace managers could use these insights formulate recommendations for employees how design home-workspace.

Language: Английский

---

‘It feels smaller now’: The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on apartment residents and their living environment – A longitudinal study

Journal of Environmental Psychology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 89, P. 102056 - 102056

Published: June 9, 2023

Language: Английский

---

Measuring, representing and analysing indoor soundscapes: A data collection campaign in residential buildings with natural and mechanical ventilation in England

Building and Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 243, P. 110726 - 110726

Published: Aug. 12, 2023

A model for the assessment of perceived affective quality indoor residential soundscapes is first applied in a field survey carried out 61 dwellings England. Objectives are i) to investigate measurement and soundscape data representation, ii) characterize appropriateness home working relaxation, iii) test differences based on ventilation strategy, iv) identify factors predicting soundscapes. In with natural (N = 34) was windows open, while those mechanical 27) closed system operation. Parallel administration questionnaire, monaural binaural measurements acoustic environments were performed. The study provides examples representation circumplex space defined by comfort content dimensions. Soundscapes which appropriate work relaxation characterized high low content, i.e., as private under control. Indoor strongly related perception traffic noise, window opening, sound pressure level, especially energy interference speech through Speech Interference Level parameter (SIL), that lead reduced increased saturation environment. Moreover, aspects psychoacoustics (sharpness), contextual building-related (ownership status floor level) cross-modal effects from other sensory modalities (perceived air temperature) have an impact. threshold value 32.7 dB SIL identified at neutral attained.

Language: Английский

---

Development of sound-absorbing pervious concrete for interior applications

Journal of Building Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 85, P. 108697 - 108697

Published: Feb. 6, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Crossed effects of audio-visual environment on indoor soundscape perception for pleasant open-plan office environments

Building and Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 207, P. 108512 - 108512

Published: Oct. 28, 2021

Language: Английский

---

Natural and Mechanical Ventilation Concepts for Indoor Comfort and Well-Being with a Sustainable Design Perspective: A Systematic Review

Buildings, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(11), P. 1983 - 1983

Published: Nov. 15, 2022

Current literature and guidelines on sustainable design often debate the advantages of natural ventilation (NV) mechanical (MV) indoor environment energy consumption. The present systematic review explores existing comparing NV MV comfort well-being points view. findings emphasize that thermo-hygrometric is main driver occupants’ behavior, while mainly led by air quality targets. Moreover, more recent papers (especially after COVID-19 outbreak) necessity a health-based approach, contrasting airborne pathogens transmission. In this sense, frequently recommended in public spaces, hybrid (HV) suggested as solution to both ensure proper conditions savings. concept currently under-explored, only refers comfort. same happens with topics such visual, acoustic, multi-domain comfort, well passive techniques night cooling, or analysis specific environments healthcare facilities. knowledge would benefit from an expansion future research these directions. choice best cannot ignore context, type, condition efficient buildings, order properly take into account well-being.

Language: Английский

---