WEEK #11 (Acoustics And Indoor Air)

 WEEKLY SUMMARY

In this week's learnings we took a closer look into indoor air quality and how it affects us on a daily basis as well as the  acoustics that surround us that we seemingly hardly notice. We also took a deep and in depth look into the effect of covid-19 and how it relates to our interior environments. 

UNDERSTANDING ACOUSTICS 

Acoustics in the indoor spaces that we inhabit has to do with how sound works inside buildings being determined by factors such as how the building is designed, what materials it is composed of, and what elements are inside that influence how sound moves around. This field is concerned with ensuring that the sound in a room is appropriate for communicating, feeling comfortable, and improving productivity levels within work environments as well as home settings. Operating sounds and how they interact with a space varies from the design specifications of the spaces intended use, whether it be a movie theater or concert hall, library, cafeteria, or office room. Materials such as rubber or foam are very useful for absorbing sound waves, quieting up a space, where concrete and steel are more effective at reverberating sound and reflecting it within the space. 

INDOOR AIR 

The air quality inside structures, such as homes, businesses, and public spaces, has a substantial impact on our general health and comfort. It is concerned with the composition of the air we breathe and is influenced by factors such as airflow, pollutants, temperature, moisture, and scents. It is critical to maintain a clean interior environment since it affects not only our physical health but also our mental and emotional well-being. As a result, it is a crucial consideration in interior design and building upkeep. 

Due to the importance of indoor air quality it is vital to have a HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system that controls the indoor temperature and air quality within each specific space. As we saw back in week 8 with mechanical systems, this process begins with the activation of the heating or cooling element, which is responsible for changing the thermal characteristics of the air. Following that, a blower fan is activated to drive the treated air through a network of ducts. Concurrently, the system admits outside air and filters it to preserve and improve indoor air quality. A thermostat serves as the control hub in this complicated orchestration, continuously monitoring ambient temperature and giving commands to adjust the system's performance accordingly. The sum of these complexities ensures a constantly comfortable and healthy interior atmosphere throughout the year.

SBS AND COVID-19 

As interior designers it is vital that we consider how the effects of the interior spaces that we design have on the occupants that will be inhabiting them. This is not just solly for aesthetic purposes for others to appreciate our designs but to make sure everyone within the building stays well and healthy during their duration within the structure. This is due to the fact that we as humans in our modern society, spend around 90 percent of our lives here on earth within different structures, unknowingly putting ourselves at the dependency of the designers who created each space. If there are flaws or indiscrepancies that occurred during the design or insulation process then those who utilize the building on a regular basis could suffer the consequences of the given mistakes.  

  

During the many happenings of the year 2020,  the covid-19 pandemic was an enormous influence on how we view indoor air quality and began to change the scope of how we now come across the issue of SBS (Sick Building Syndrome).  Sick Building Syndrome distinguishes itself through many different systems including repeated headaches, cold and flu-like symptoms, nassau,  difficulty breathing and respiratory issues, fatigue with many more to be included to the list. Most commonly SBS is caused by poor ventilation of the buildings HVAC system causing for excess buildup of dust and VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) to accumulate in the space, breakdowns in building materials resulting in mold, mildew, and airborne bacteria that infiltrates the breathable air in the space. Another cause of SBS is the use of interior fabrics and materials containing VOCs in their material make ups and adhesive backings. 

With the increased time within indoor spaces during the shelter in place period and mandatory stay at home orders and the lack of outdoor exposure,  people across the country inhabiting buildings even without indoor air quality issues experienced increased risks of SBS. Many found in this period that regardless of the structure, regular outdoor exposure to fresh air is important to living a healthy life. According to the National Institutes of Health, those who were not intentional about getting exposure to outdoor air for a regular extended period of time were 2 to 5 times more likely to breathe in pollutants that could harm their respiratory system. Since the pandemic, a push for outdoor spaces and natural airflow within work environments is having a heavier push for building designs. 

Along with the decreased intake of  outdoor air, many of the at home environments experience an unhealthy exposure to cleaning chemicals that are harmful in large doses in confined spaces.  With the increased fear of becoming ill, many homes overused products such as aerosol sprays, bleach and Clorox-advent liquids causing indoor air that originally was safe to breathe become a negative element for the inhabiting party. Many thought that the overuse of these cleaning chemicals were improving their ability to maintain their health, while in reality it became a detriment to them and those around them. 

Thankfully due to the enormous amount of studies conducted in the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic, much of the harmful elements faced in that period are being altered to better our experience within interior spaces and better our overall health. Changes to more natural components to cleaning agents and interior finishes have been making a larger push since, resulting in increased economic growth from natural fiber producers and agrarian based businesses, helping not only our  interior environment but our exterior environment as well. Improvements in how we approach health in the indoor work environment in the standard 9 to 5 has also seen altercations looking to establish more ways to break up the extended time indoors and to incorporate more testing practices to ensure a healthy work environment.