User perspectives on outdoor noise in open-plan offices with operable windows

Abstract

Recent research suggests that buildings with operable windows in general, and mixed-mode (MM) buildings in particular, can provide improved thermal comfort and control opportunities for users. However, there have been concerns about outdoor noise sources such as traffic or construction noise when windows are opened. Concerns like these may hinder the installation of operable windows in buildings. This article examines 23,000 office building occupants’ perspectives on noise from both sealed and naturally ventilated/MM buildings. The results suggest that occupants near operable windows are more satisfied than those near sealed windows or those far from either window type. Among occupants dissatisfied with noise, complaints about indoor noise sources (such as people talking to each other) are about 10 times more prevalent than outdoor noise complaints.

Keywords:

• acoustics
• occupant satisfaction
• office design
• traffic noise

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the reviewers of this article for their insights and Charles Salter for his advice on this work.