Managing sound in open plan spaces in the home
Open plan spaces are becoming increasingly popular
in the design of residential homes. This design option
allows for optimising light in the home and the added
benefit of uninterrupted views across a number of
rooms in the communal living space, making home
family life more social. The downside is that noise
transmits easily around the house.
Fortunately, this problem can be easily overcome
through the use of performance enhanced acoustic
ceiling boards. This was recently demonstrated
by acoustic engineer, Ivan Lin, who specified the
installation of Saint-Gobain Gyproc acoustic ceiling
board, Rigitone, throughout the large open plan
ground floor space of his Johannesburg home, to
optimise sound and minimise noise. Rigitone is a
completely seamless and monolithic ceiling system
that offers the perfect combination of acoustic
performance and creativity offering high levels of
acoustic absorption, while offering the ceiling a
homogenous and architecturally pleasing appearance.
It comes in six different patterns, including regular
16
and random perforated design options.
There are a number of factors that influence the
absorption behaviour of Rigitone acoustic ceilings;
1. The bigger the proportion of the boards
perforated areas, the better the sound absorption
at high frequencies.
2. The internal acoustic tissue works in
conjunction with the boards perforations to
provide the sound absorption performance.
3. The application of a paint finish in no way
compromises the acoustic performance.
4. An additional layer of mineral wool insulation
improves the sound absorption at low frequencies.
Acoustic ceiling systems have traditionally been used
in the construction of spaces that require optimal
noise management solutions such as corporate offices,
hospitals, theatres and education facilities. The use of
acoustic performance ceiling boards in the residential
sector is very recent, but will fast gain popularity
given its ability to optimize sound, especially in open
plan spaces. AD
i
africandesignmagazine.com