Acoustic privacy
A high quality of speech privacy will contribute significantly to a desirable level of communication, social interaction, and productivity. An appropriate relationship between background noise and that produced within the activity space is conducive to speech privacy
Psychological determinants in the planning of an interior environment relate to the psychological needs and concerns of the occupants. Visual privacy, acoustic privacy, and aesthetic factors are key determinants to be considered. Psychological determinants affect an individual’s sense of well being in the environment. Privacy is a central regulatory human process by which persons make themselves more or less accessible to others.
Acoustic privacy in an interior space results from effective treatment of the acoustic environment as an interrelationship of many components: ceiling, partitions, furniture, equipment, and floor. A complete acoustic system will generally provide adequate speech privacy. Speech privacy is achieved when there is sufficient acoustic shielding to allow conversation to be unheard beyond the participants of the conversation. A high quality of speech privacy will contribute significantly to a desirable level of communication, social interaction, and productivity. An appropriate relationship between background noise and that produced within the activity space is conducive to speech privacy.
In addressing acoustics and communication within an environment, it is necessary to consider levels of speech intensity. For example, intensity levels are likely to be greater among occupants over the span of a conference table than over an executive desk in a private office.
Optimum planning for open areas will include consideration of background noise, and use of absorptive ceiling, flooring, and furnishing elements. With enclosed space, the noise reduction capabilities of construction between rooms significantly influence speech privacy.
