Buildings, Vol. 15, Pages 4518: The Effect of Noise Level in Design Studios on Students
Buildings doi: 10.3390/buildings15244518
Authors:
Büşra Onay
Seda Mazlum
Şerife Ebru Okuyucu
Fatih Mazlum
Merve Çiftçi
This study investigates the acoustic conditions of a design studio (Studio 130) in the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design at Afyon Kocatepe University by integrating 14 weeks of continuous noise measurements with perception data collected from 192 students. Noise measurements were conducted in accordance with ISO 3382-3:2022 guidelines at three locations—window front, door side, and studio midpoint—during morning, noon, and evening periods, with 10 min recordings at each session. The results indicate that when students were present, the equivalent continuous noise level (Leq) reached an average of 65.5 dB(A), with peak levels rising to 72.3 dB(A) during jury sessions. These values substantially exceed the recommended 35 dB(A) classroom threshold by the World Health Organization and the 35–45 dB(A) limits specified in national regulations for indoor educational spaces. Survey findings reveal that 88% of students experienced loss of concentration, 72% reported decreased productivity, 60% had difficulty communicating, and 52% reported fatigue due to noise exposure. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a strong relationship between measured noise levels and reported negative effects (r = 0.966). Moreover, independent samples t-test results confirmed that student presence significantly increased studio noise levels (t = 4.98, p < 0.001). The novelty of this research lies in its combined use of longitudinal objective measurements and subjective perception data, addressing the unique open-plan, collaborative, and critique-based pedagogical structure of design studios. The findings highlight that acoustic comfort is a critical component of learning quality in studio-based education. Based on the results, the study proposes several design and material interventions—including spatial dividers, acoustic ceiling panels, fabric-wrapped absorbers, and impact-reducing flooring—to enhance auditory comfort. Overall, the study emphasizes the necessity of integrating acoustic design strategies into studio pedagogy to support concentration, communication, and learning performance.
Source link
Büşra Onay www.mdpi.com
