Architectural Acoustic Design using absorption materials: the case study 'Snooze Panel'

The Snooze ® sound-absorbing panel is the result of the necessity to characterize an architectural space such as offices, corridors, classrooms, hospitals while guaranteeing the required acoustic characteristics using renewable materials. An experimental case study is proposed showing how different chooses in panel assembly arrangement are affecting its acoustic performance. The proposed procedure allows evaluating the acoustic properties of a panel assembly, specifically the rating of sound absorption according to the EN ISO 11654 i.e. the weighted sound absorption coefficient aw, considering the intrinsic panel characteristics and the different types of installation with variable distance from the wall surface behind the panel. While the material characteristics can be assessed in laboratory using appropriate instruments as explained, the acoustic behavior of the panel due to the geometry and installation solutions are evaluated in actual assembly in reverberation chamber according to the standard EN ISO 354.