Architectural acoustics

The discipline that controls how sound behaves inside a space: reverberation, speech intelligibility, isolation between rooms and background noise from services.

Definition

The parameter people notice most is reverberation time (RT60): a worship hall at 2.4 seconds turns preaching into noise, and a bedroom with hard surfaces prevents sleep even in a quiet house.

It is solved during design with geometry, absorbent materials and diffusers integrated into joinery — not with panels glued on afterwards. We measure before and after construction.

Reference data

DefinitionReference data
Target RT60 in homes (living room, bedroom)0.4 – 0.6 s
Target RT60 in a worship hall for speech0.9 – 1.2 s
Target RT60 in a multipurpose room with amplified music1.2 – 1.6 s
Maximum recommended background noise in a bedroomNC 20 – 25 (25 – 30 dBA)
Airborne insulation between dwellings required in Spain (DB-HR)DnT,A ≥ 50 dBA
Absorbent surface as a share of total room surfaces15 – 30 %
Effective absorber thickness at 250 Hz50 – 100 mm plus air gap
Acoustic measurement and report of an existing room€900 – €2,500
Acoustic design integrated into the interior project€3,000 – €12,000
Lead time from measurement to delivered design3 – 5 weeks

Reference ranges and values from projects delivered by Lobo Interiors in Spain (2024-2026). Prices exclude VAT.

Related entities

  • Biophilic design: A design strategy that reintroduces natural patterns — light, planting, living materials, water, views — into built space to improve the wellbeing of the people who use it. (Linked · Shared pages)
  • KNX home automation: An open building-automation standard (ISO/IEC 14543) that integrates lighting, climate, blinds, audio and security on one bus, with no vendor lock-in. (Linked · Shared pages)
  • Daylight and lighting design: Planning daylight and artificial light together: orientation, solar control, colour temperature, task levels and scenes that follow the circadian rhythm. (Shared pages)
  • Indoor air quality: The set of parameters — CO₂, PM2.5, volatile organic compounds, relative humidity — that determine whether the air in a home supports or degrades the health of its occupants. (Shared pages)
  • WELL Building Standard: A certification system that assesses how a building affects human health across ten concepts: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community. (Shared pages)
  • Natural materials: Stone, solid timber, lime, linen, wool and brass: mineral or plant-based materials that age into patina instead of degrading. (Shared pages)

Frequently asked questions

What is a good reverberation time?

In homes, 0.4 to 0.6 seconds. In a worship hall used for speech, 0.9 to 1.2 seconds; with amplified music it rises to 1.6 seconds.

How much does an acoustic study cost?

A measurement survey with a report for an existing room costs €900 to €2,500, and acoustic design integrated into the interior project €3,000 to €12,000.

Can acoustics be fixed without building works?

Only partly. Movable absorption reduces excess reverberation, but geometry and insulation problems are solved at design stage.

Sources