2021-2022
Submitted by:
KUNAL GARKHEL
170BARCHI065/SAA/B.Arch./17
Guide:
Mrs. Sehba Saleem, Designation
Thesis Coordinators:
Madhur Prakash, Associate Professor
Himanshu Sanghani, Associate Dean & Associate Professor
SCHOOL OF ART AND ARCHITECTURE
SUSHANT UNIVERSITY, GURGAON, INDIA
This Design Thesis is submitted by Kunal Garkhel of batch 2017-2022, at School of Art and Architecture, as partial requirement for the Five Year Bachelor of Architecture degree programme of Sushant University, Gurgaon.
Originality of the information and opinion expressed in the Design Thesis are of the author and does not reflect those of the mentor or the thesis coordinators or the institution.
Roll No. : 170BARCHI065
Name of the student : Kunal Garkhel
Date : January 23, 2022
Name of the mentor : Mrs. Sehba Saleem
Date : January 23, 2022
Name of the thesis coordinators : Himanshu Sanghani and Madhur Prakash
Date : January 23, 2022
5.3
5.4
Firstly, I would like to thank my thesis guide Mrs. Sehba Saleem without whose assistance and keen involvement in every step throughout the process, this thesis would have never been accomplished. I would like to extend my deep regards for your support and guidance
I would also like to extend my gratitude towards my personal mentor Mr. K.L Malhotra & Ar. Pankaj Malhotra who has provided me constant support during my research and encouragement to work consistently.
Getting through my thesis required more than academic support, and I have many people to thank for listening to me and at times having to motivate me to keep working hard. I cannot begin to express my thankfulness towards Aldrin, Harsh, and Bajju Boys for their friendship as they have been constant in their support and for many memorable evenings in and out.
Most importantly, none of this could have happened without my family. My Mother and Father, who constantly encouraged me every day. This thesis stands as a testament to your unconditional love and support. I would like to thank God, the almighty, who has granted countless blessings, knowledge, so that I was finally able to complete this thesis.
Figure 01: Noise levels from various sources
Figure 02: Frequency Diagrams
Figure 03: Source-path-receiver model for sound energy
Figure 04: Classification of Acoustical Environment
Figure 05: Reaction of material w.r.t. incident sound
Figure 06: Parameters of Sensory Design
Figure 07: PET Panel
Figure 08: Performance Specification for 9mm, 12mm and 25mm PET PANEL
Figure 09: Acoustical Wooden Slats
Figure 10: Stone Acoustic Board
Figure 11: Site visit to Potentials: School of Autism, NFC
Figure 12: ADVANCE’s School of Autism, Cairo
Figure 13: Walt Disney Concert Hall, California
Figure 14: Google images of site selected
Figure 15: Vegetation mapping (left) Site Images (right)
Figure 16: Sun path mapping (left) Thermal mapping (center) Wind pattern diagram (right)
Figure 17: Noise Level Mapping
Figure 18: Noise Level RTA reading taken at 10:30am
Figure 19: Noise Level RTA reading taken at 02:30pm
Figure 20: Noise Level RTA reading taken at 06:30pm
Figure 21: Programs list based on Sensory zoning
Figure 22: Detailed Area program
Figure 23: Site Plan
Figure 24: Ground floor plan detailed
Figure 25: First floor plan
Figure 26: First floor plan detailed
Figure 27: Landscape strategy
Figure 28: Plants that can grow in Zone 1
Figure 29: Plants that can grow in Zone 2
Figure 30: Plants that can grow in Zone 3
Figure 31: Front Elevation (from the road side)
Figure 32: Back Elevation (from the river side)
SPL – Sound pressure level
ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder
dB - Decibel
NRC - Noise reduction Coefficient
STC – Sound Transmission Coefficient
PET - Polyethene Terephthalate (PET PANELS)
HDMR – High density Moisture resistant
MDF - Medium Density Fireboard
RTA – Real Time Analysis
CPCB - Central Pollution Control Board
There are several specifications of acoustical materials that are measured. Following terms also are called the metrics in acoustics.
Frequency: The number of complete vibrations occurring per unit time. The unit for Frequency is hertz (Hz). A specific range of frequencies is called bandwidth.
Reverberation: It is the collection of delayed sounds caused by sound reflections. The reverberation time is the time interval in which the level drops down by 60dB. Reverberation is most audible in large spaces with hard surfaces, where sound echoes around long after the sound source has stopped. The amount of reverberation in a space depends on the size of room and amount of sound absorption.
Sound Transmission Coefficient (STC): STC of a partition is defined as a fraction of incident sound transmitted through it. Sound transmission loss is a measure of sound isolating ability and its equal to the number of decibels by which sound energy is reduced in transmission through partition.
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC): An industry wide accepted method of describing the average sound absorption characteristics of an acoustical material is the noise reduction coefficient (NRC)
Absorption Coefficient: The absorption coefficient, also known as the sound absorption coefficient, is the percentage of sound energy that is not reflected when it strikes a material's surface.
Specific Acoustic Impedance: The product of a material's density and its acoustic velocity is the specific acoustic impedance. The potential of an acoustic material to absorb sound energy is dependent on the frequency of the sound, with most materials dampened more effectively in the mid-to-high ranges than in the lower ranges.
It’s often misinterpreted that sound and acoustics are one of the same things but to an architect or an acoustic consultant they’re a world apart. The difference is that sound is a sensory experience while acoustics is an engineering discipline.
“Acoustics” is concerned with generating and regulating pressure waves, which are perceived as sound. Acoustics affects everyone on a daily basis – from homemakers, people working in offices, students and patients in the hospital, to professionals working in the design and construction industries and for that matter even the other living organisms on this planet. In acoustics, noise refers to any unwanted sound, whether it is intrinsically objectionable or interferes with the intelligibility of any other sound being heard. The world around us is a cacophony of noise. Unlike our eyes, which we may close, our ears are always alert, even while we are sleeping.
According to Global Burden of Disease 2010 1.3 billion people are affected by hearing loss and it is rated as the 13th most important contributor to the global years lived with disability. (Prof Theo Vos, PhD , 2012) WHO approximations suggest that about 10% of the world’s population is exposed to sound pressure levels (SPL) that could possibly result in noise-induced hearing loss. In about half of these people, auditory damage is result of exposure to intense noise. The nonauditory effects of noise like annoyance, insomnia, and stress are said to be the cause global disability. Karl D Kryter in his book “Effects of Noise in Man” proposed that the nonauditory effects of noise have second order reactions and are results of stimulation of three neural systems:
• The autonomic nervous system that controls systemic somatic responses and arousal reactions of the organism the glands, the viscera, and circulatory system.
• The reticular nervous system, leading to arousal responses of the central nervous system as well as organs of perception related to pain and pleasure.
• The cortical and subcortical brain centers responsible for intellectual performance.
Overall, these studies clearly show that noise exposure affects public health with measurable medical and economic implications. (Kryter, 1970)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that has many sub characteristics like delayed verbal skills, difficulties on social interactions. It is one of the most challenging disorders studied by physicians, psychologists, mental health practitioners, therapists and educators.
It is estimated that worldwide about 1 in 160 children has an ASD. About 1 in 100 children in India under age 10 has autism, and nearly 1 in 8 has at least one neurodevelopmental condition. The estimates are based on the first rigorous study of its kind in the country. (Narendra K. Arora, 2018) In all these studies, behavior of children with autism have been discussed as a sensory problem when understanding the visual and verbal information from environment around them. (Mostafa, 2008)
The unit to measure the strength of acoustic pressure is Decibel (dB). 0 dB is barely apprehensible by humans, while 120 dB is taken as the threshold of pain and auditory effect on health. Decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale, therefore an increase of 10 dB corresponds to an increase in intensity by a factor of 10. When a time period is involved, the measures are often given is dB(A) or Leq.
Noise is said to have a major impact on quality of life. It has various psychological and physiolog ical effects, however the psychological ones are more common than the physiological ones, and they manifest themselves in a variety of ways, including annoyance, stress, rage, and attention disorders, as well as impatience and perception problems. Among the psychological effects increase in blood pressure, a heartbeat fluctuation, the appearance of muscle reflexes, and symptoms such as insomnia. Exposure to continuous and extensive noise at a level greater than 85dBA may lead to hearing loss. Other inappropriate effects of noise on human beings and other animals have been presented in many studies and are still being researched on. For example, that the foraging, vocal behavior and physiological stress of cetaceans – whales, dolphins and porpoises – can be impacted by ship noise. Furthermore, in addition to shifts in distribution and vocal behavior, military sonar has also affected their behavior and linked to the stranding of these creatures (Shannon, 2015) There are numerous other examples of studies and researches.
In the human anatomy the response of the ear to sound is dependent on the frequency of the sound. The human ear has peak response around 2,500 to 3,000 Hz and has a relatively low response at low frequencies the higher the frequency, the more high-pitched a sound is perceived.
The methods used to describe the noise level in an area varies with the type of area and its purpose however it is important to understand the indicators and methods closely linked to acoustic disturbance. Following can be classified into noise sources described in relatively great detail, as they are common and most observed in natural and social environments.
• Road Traffic (Cross country vehicles, Daily traffic, etc)
• Railway Traffic
• Air Traffic
• Waterway Logistics
• Firing ranges & Shooting Galleries
• Industrial Zones
• Construction Zones
• Leisure Zones
A good quality acoustics in an area means that the impact of noise is compensated by desirable sounds. The fundamental ways of assessing acoustic qualities for an area depends on:
i. The occurrence and audibility of sound with respect to the acoustic landscape
ii. The distinction of sound into positive and negative
iii. To assess the overall quality of sound by weighing positive and negative impacts.
The indicator for freedom from noise is a sound level at which the sound can be considered to start to become disturbing and the length of time for which disturbing sound levels can be accepted. (The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, 2007)
The medium of transmission of sound can be air, water, solid or combination of all. Multiple sound events (vibrations) originated from sound source to receiver through a path which is made up an acoustical environment.
Figure 03: Source-path-receiver model for sound energy
The perceptual construct of an individual in an environment is soundscape. While relating it to field of architecture, many subjects such as architectural acoustics, acoustical design, ambient noise level and vibration control relates acoustic issues to building technology and architectural design. In architecture, acoustics play a significant role in adding to the occupant comfort.
Acoustic comfort is directly connected to enhanced well-being and performance of people. The ability to achieve passable acoustics while retaining the aesthetics of the space and limiting the visual characteristics of acoustic materials and elements is a common difficulty for architects and acousticians.
Architecture as a career makes us architects responsible for creating environments that can accommodate needs of all types of users. There is no exempt from such for anyone whether its VIPs, general public, an adult, a child or anyone with special needs.
“I know of no building or accessibility code that incorporates requirements specifically to address children with autism. However, accessibility in general is addressed in the codes developed by the International Code Council.” (Brown, 2003)
Despite the overwhelming rate, autism is ignored by the architectural community, excluded from building codes and guidelines, even from the ones that are developed specifically for special needs individuals. Architects can help people with autism by designing environments that can help them access the space comfortably and appropriately. Acoustics is a major issue in interior design requirements of autistic users. (Caldwell, 2006) Auditory Hypersensitivity is frequent amongst people having Autism. Therefore, knowing the basics of architectural acoustics and the meaning of acoustical design and construction is vital.
Every element of a building’s construction adds to its acoustical properties. It’s more than just walls and ceilings. The shapes, surfaces, furniture, light fixtures, vibrations mechanical systems and materials that are used in construction all of these also have an impact on a building’s acoustics and environment. When the acoustical properties of materials are not considered during the specification process, the result is too often a poor building design. Terms like sound transmission coefficient (STC) and noise reduction coefficient (NRC) are only the beginning of the metrics used in noise measurement for evaluating the acoustic performance.
To investigate the link between building design & acoustics. The perception of sound within architecture acts like a base by determining how sound can mold and shape the architectural environment into a healthy Acoustical Environment. In a place or space, the sound from all sources that could be heard by someone is termed as an acoustical environment which depends entirely on source of sound, location of receiver and path taken by sound to reach the receiver. The acoustical environment can be classified into two broad categories:
i. Indoor Acoustical Environments are shaped by reflection of sound waves by walls, ceiling, etc.
ii. Outdoor Acoustical Environments are created by sound waves traveling through long propagated paths.
The impact of healthy acoustical environment on a living organism could have effect on the physiology, psychology and behavior. For example, a mental health survey appealed that nature sounds can evoke reduced skin conductance levels and controlled heart rate. A lot of psychological researches have also proved how positive soundscapes can improve cognition and learning ability. Hence, these aspects highlight the importance of regulating and reducing environmental noise exposure, as well as enforcing exposure limits, in order to decrease the adverse health impacts of long-term exposure to environmental noise.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that has many sub characteristics like delayed verbal skills, difficulties on social interactions. It is one of the most challenging disorders studied by physicians, psychologists, mental health practitioners, therapists and educators. It is estimated that worldwide about 1 in 160 children has an ASD. About 1 in 100 children in India under age 10 has autism, and nearly 1 in 8 has at least one neurodevelopmental condition. The estimates are based on the first rigorous study of its kind in the country. (Narendra K. Arora, 2018) In all these studies, behavior of children with autism have been discussed as a sensory problem when understanding the visual and verbal information from environment around them. (Mostafa, 2008).
It is the architect’s duty to ensure that the designs are made in respect to the physical sensory environment for these children. According to studies, individuals with autism are highly sensitive and resistant to change and new behavioral patterns. At the same time, they prefer to deal with inanimate objects rather than humans. (Park, 2001). Hypersensitivity to sound has been an issue persistent within the Autism Spectrum Disorder community. As the topic is widely being studied over range of factors it is now well known that low and high frequency noise can produce unkind subjective effects on some people both physically and physiologically. To make it work, the more accurately these gifted children understand, the better they will comprehend their environment both socially and academically. In the same way, the better we understand the individual with ASD, the better we can develop ways to intervene in an effective manner. (Autism Research Institute, 2013).
Acoustics is closely linked to architecture; every space created establishes a unique acoustical environment and character which can be described by measurable factors. Depending on the function of the space, the aspired sound environments are different. For example, in an opera hall or big auditorium, a bit of echo is needed whereas in a conference room it is important with good speech intelligibility.
This thesis project will help in generating design goals and methods based upon acoustical science that can be developed and fully be integrated into any kind of acoustical environments and into the overall architecture of any typology of building to look after the occupant comfort.
During a Ted talk in Gothenburg in 2014, sound expert Julian Treasure pointed out that architects spend less than 1 day out of 5 years on acoustics during their studies. Therefore, most architecture graduates lack knowledge about how their design affects the sound environment when they enter the professional world. (Treasure, 2009). In real life building projects, the part of acoustics is often brought up later in the design process or even after completion when the issues occur. In contrary, this thesis will focus on bridging the link of building design and acoustics wherein designing with acoustic parameters can be accomplished using a palette of scientific parameters applied during the creative process. Thus, the objective characteristics of acoustical design can be translated into the subjective experience of architectural space and finally developing a healthy acoustical environment.
Designing a space requires an understanding of conditions or characteristics controlling the experience of space. The tools an architect would use to develop the environment for the space is crucial to determine how acoustic parameters can be translated into the space, and how sound can become a fundamental component during the design process.
Potential site for the project will not be an isolated area and rather would be placed in the urban fabric to ensure the qualitative solution for creating the acoustical environment.
This study aims to describe and impart knowledge on acoustics in building design and how acoustical environments can be created for better experience of space for the user. The research gives compelling reasons for the architects to modify the environment of the buildings they design for better occupant comfort levels. Thereby, to determine and establish the guidelines the aim of this thesis research is to find out:
i. The impact of acoustical environment on building design.
ii. To understand how acoustics can impact occupants and other living organisms.
However, all design processes are unique and might not apply the same principles, this master thesis is hopefully going to encourage how architects and acousticians can collaborate in design process to achieve healthy acoustical environment.
The objective of this thesis is to highlight the importance of acoustics in building design and experience of space by the user. The main goal of the project was not to reach final answers but to open up conversation and encourage architects to further investigate acoustics in building design.
However, the project has expectantly emphasized the issues of failed acoustics and its adverse effects, it has also tried to impart solutions and strategies to fix these and consider acoustics in the early design stages to reach a well-integrated design of acoustical environment.
The main focus is to understand in-depth of acoustics and acoustical environments, and design an architectural intervention catering to autistic users and public to enhance their social skills.
To thoroughly familiarise with acoustics and autism, knowledge was gained through electronic media, ted talks, literature studies, and discussions with psychologist, therapists, mental health influencers, acoustic consultants and sound engineers.
To find cues for acoustical parameters that can help create healthy acoustical environments and understand the user requirements. Experiments and similar researches in this area were studied. A visit to Potentials (therapy school for autistic children in Delhi)
Formulation of these design guidelines and creating controlled acoustical environment. Also, through the sound simulation tests carried out on digital platform, the ambient noise level conditions were designed.
Within the context of architectural acoustics and understanding individuals with special needs, certain dominant themes arise that will be looked at during the research. The main goal of this research is creation of a high-performance architectural intervention i.e., not only performing programmatically but also fulfils technical functional requirements whilst enhancing human condition. The tools architects use to develop the aura of a space are critical in determining how the acoustic parameters can be translated into a healthy acoustical environment for individuals occupying that environment.
The application of acoustics into architecture design normally falls low on the priority list. At worst, it becomes relevant only when acoustical problem occurs. The manifestation of sound as a building tool is a simple concept yet it has a complex execution. Peter Zumthor in his book has addressed the importance of atmosphere in the development of architectural space. The same applies in the acoustical research considering the acoustical environment of a space plays a large role in the user being able to feel and understand the mood of the space.
Materials play an important role in determining the acoustical atmosphere in a space. Warm, Soft materials establish a comfortable, calm environment whereas cold harsh materials bring out a tensed, uncomfortable environment. In Acoustics, considerations primarily relate to the natural acoustics of spaces such as Ambient Noise Level of a space. Is it high or low? The reverberation time. Is the space heavily reverberant or acoustically dead? The surfaces. Are they reflective or curved? And finally, the materials. Are they absorbers, attenuators or insulators of sound energy? At different frequencies, materials can be either reflective or absorbers.
Figure 05: Reaction of material w.r.t. incident sound
Sound and a space are interlocked in a dynamic bond wherein each performs the other. Sound should be taken as building material itself used to create an acoustically designed space. As light, shadow, shade help architect sculpt a face, sound and has also the ability to mold a physical space. The application of acoustic materials in both quantity and quality wrt to the location critically effects the acoustic of places. Meanwhile the effects of these treatments should also be aesthetically pleasing. Materials chosen to should vary by the type of space. An architectural intervention will have limited effectiveness if the users of building are unable to understand the impact sound has on design of it.
Using the acoustical parameters, architect can design the acoustical environment which responds to these parameters and create an ideal acoustical environment. By combining and mixing the different parameters of acoustic at different value and intensity any acoustical environment can be created in any given space.
In acoustics, reverberation time is the most noticeable characteristics of a space. For example, if one enters a dark room and speak or sing a song, upon analysis, an accurate perception of volume and surface treatments can be inferred. Highly reverberant spaces, user feels that they have walked into a large hall with reflective hard surfaces. On the other hand, minimally reverberant spaces, user feels he has walked into a smaller room with soft and absorptive materials.
After experimental research in Kulturetemplet, Sweden with music artists as subjects, the principles that derive sound in a place are that the greater number of people will have reduced reverberation time, increase in building volume will have increased reverberation time and high use of absorbing materials defy the increase in reverberation time (Sandberg, 2017)
Autistic Behavior is understood as a sensory malfunction when assimilating stimulatory information from the surrounding physical environment In this area of research, the architect or designer for a space, through his design of the environment has a control of nature of the sensory input for the individual with ASD.
Noise is generally defined as the unpleasant sounds which distract the human being physically and physiologically. Various researches and experiments in this area are evidence that there is a relation between exposure to high noise levels and altering behavior patterns in individuals with special needs and it has its adverse effects on their wellbeing, ability to do basic tasks as well as comprehension. The most frequent characteristics of person with autism is hypersensitivity to the environmental situation. The responses to high or low frequency noise have included cardiac rhythm, increases respiration rate, blood and endocrine change, as well as subjective responses like panic, euphoria, nausea, closing eyes, scratching heads etc. (Wigram, 1987)
For the children who suffer from ASD, auditory information plays a crucial role in understanding. In between the years 1964-1994, The Autism Research Institute gathered medical histories on more than 17000 children with autism in different countries and more than 40% included parent notations of sound sensitivity. (Edelson, 1995)
The autistic behavior can be influenced favorably by altering the sensory environment i.e., the stimulatory input from physical architecture surroundings such as color, noise, texture, ventilations, sense of closures, orientation of furniture, acoustics etc. By taking in consideration of these physical parameters, sensory input in an individual with ASD can be altered, or at least conducive environment can be created for more efficient skill development. (Lang, 1987)
According to more recent studies and literature, the key to designing for autism seems to revolve around the issue of redesigning the sensory environment and its relationship to autistic behavior. The conceptual basis behind this design approach is that prepares for an autistic user a generalization of his or her skills particularly those acquired in a leaning environment that benefits them, and is constructive for them
Figure 06: Parameters of Sensory Design
For individual with autism, few parameters like colour, shape, size of enclosure, texture, lighting etc have an impact on the environment and individuals themselves. One way and the most common way architects’ approach to design for people with autism is to address the sensory environment. Many individuals with autism can be hyper and or hyposensitive to a variety to sensory stimuli. Oversensitive and inconsistent sensory processing can lead to a chaotic and sometimes frightening experience. At the extreme end, it's been described as living in a rock concert that you can never escape.
Hypersensitivity to sound has been an issue persistent within the Autism Spectrum Disorder community. As the topic is widely being studied over range of factors it is now well known that low and high frequency noise can produce unkind subjective effects on some people both physically and physiologically.
Acoustic materials are important in many aspects of building construction. Because more concentration is necessary to listen in a studio, class room, reading hall, or auditorium, acoustics treatment is offered to control the outside as well as inside sound of the various buildings till sound is audible without any irritation or interruption.
Sound and noise are managed by four methods: blocking, absorbing, diffusing, and isolating.
• Blocking relates to the use of soundproofing.
• Absorption works by converting sound energy into heat.
• Diffusion seeks to scatter sound without deadening a room.
• Isolating is done at the source of the noise itself, by placing a compressor on isolation mounts, for instance. (Thomasnet)
Polyester Acoustic Panels (PET): PET Panel comes in 3 thicknesses which are 9mm, 12mm and 25mm. These comes in wide variety of colors and are available in a width of 1.22m.
Figure 07: PET PANEL
These panels not only serve as acoustic panels but also as thermal insulations. They are recyclable and recycled. These can be installed as bare panels or if required as fabric wrapped panels. They come in variety of textures like smooth or rough faced therefore these can even be used as finished wall surfaces in places like therapy rooms, escape spaces etc.
Acoustical Wooden Slats: Acoustic Wood slats are HDMR/MDF acoustical panel system with high technical and aesthetic qualities. At the technical level it has a high absorption coefficient while aesthetically it has linear design, elegant and discreet look. It is one of the most advanced material to control reverberant sound levels in many environments such as offices lobby, exhibition centers, classrooms, lecture halls etc.
Figure 09: Acoustical Wooden Slats
These come in a thickness of 15mm-20mm with an absorption frequency of 0.70-0.90. Wooden slats have a grooved finish which potentials it as an excellent sound absorber as well as a durable rough textured material. The mounting for these slats is often done on perforated commercial ply.
Stone Acoustic Board: A good acoustic design contributes to a peaceful environment, not just indoors but also outside, especially in built up areas where unwanted noise reverberates off buildings. These acoustic panels are specially designed to absorb rail, traffic and other unwanted noise to promote a peaceful environment.
These are rigid, durable panel made from recycled glass. The panels are suitable for interior and exterior uses especially where an element of impact resistance is required. These acoustic boards are non-combustible, chemically inert and non-fibrous and are either mechanically fixed with screws or detailed fixings or bonded with our tile adhesive. They come in thickness of 15-100mm with a standard width and length of 600mm x 1200mm. They provide a direct sound insulation of 40dB and has easy tile like mounting technique.
A gifted autistic man from Portugal wrote, “I jumped out of my skin when animal made noises. A sudden noise (even a relatively faint one) will often make my heart race. Carrying a conversation is very difficult. The other persons voice faded in and out like distant radio station.” (White, 1987)
Temple Grandin in her book “The way I see it” wrote, High pitched continuous noises like bathroom fans, or AC are annoying. It is impossible for a child to concentrate in classroom if these noises bombard into the brain like a jet engine. When I was little, loud noises were also a problem, often feeling like a dentist’s drill hitting a nerve. They actually caused pain. I was scared to death of balloons popping, because the sound was like an explosion in my ear. Minor noises that most people can turn out drove me to distraction. (Grandin, 1995)
3.2.1 Potentials: School of Autism, NFC, Delhi
The primary case study chosen for this research was a visit to Potentials: School of Autism in New friends colony in Delhi. The Owner and lead psychologist Dr Parul Gupta along with her exceptionally well team helped me understand the environment in a school of autism and how acoustical environments and architecture can play a role in therapy of for individuals with ASD.
The range of solutions and potentials identified included: Operational strategies that enforce predictability like the ability to book desk space, the use of sound field system to support lecture acoustics, furniture flexibility to customize arrangements, divisions and compartmentalization of spaces and their respective activities.
Various observations were made about varying ceiling heights, color pallets, openings, behavior of children present. Etc. On examination and tour of the campus, an important tool being used as a therapy i.e. Escape Spaces were largely spotted. These are basically spaces to provide respite for the autistic user from the overstimulation. These were also referred to as Sensory Spaces for the children.
In 2004, the Egyptian Society for Developing Skills of Children with Special Needs known as ADVANCE built a small school that was established starting with 10 students. Today, this school serves around 200 students. It was designed by architect Magda Mostafa
Figure 12: ADVANCE’s School of Autism, Cairo
It was designed based of four criteria/issues indicated through a research on users with autism:
1) Acoustics: Soundproofing of floor, wall and ceiling surfaces with the objective of reducing both echo and external noise. The average noise level was reduced from 70dB to 52dB and echo ratio was reduced from 97% to 57%.
2) Spatial sequencing: Reorganizing the spatial layout of classrooms, defined zones within which only a single activity is carried out.
3) Sensory Zoning: Users with Autism tend to adhere to routine or repetitive patterns, hence predictable environments in the learning space were designed.
4) Compartmentalization: Physical compartmentalization of activities led to decrease in visual distractions, and limited the fields of peripheral vision.
The architect for this wonder in the field of architecture is Frank O Gehry. The acoustic consultant for this project was Nagata Acoustics. The architect had envisioned the hall to be like a living room for the city where people would enjoy great music. The main motive was to establish a close relationship between audience and orchestra. The room volume was 30600m³ for 2265 seats. It had a ceiling height higher than many other concert halls built around that time. The curved ceiling and partitions became part of acoustical system and help relate interior and exterior.
Figure 13: Walt Disney Concert Hall, California
It had a modified arena seating; with orchestra surrounded by seating areas. The ceiling over orchestra platform was set 15.5meteres high with no canopy. An airspace was provided under the stage floor to allow floor to vibrate and resonate in conjunction with cavity. Sound reflecting and diffusing panels were used on elevations which confused the listeners as to the location of source and retained the feeling of having source really close to the ear.
4.1 The site
The site selected is a land near Monastery Market, near ISBT Terminal. It is in the dense fabric of the city. It has a number of opportunities and being next to the river Yamuna, it has very nice ecological scope. The land belongs to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and has a market on one side with settlements and activities on small scale. It is well known because of the Monastery and the market.
Figure 14: Google images of site selected The site was specifically selected in middle of the rich urban context since the role of acoustics into architecture will only be significantly viable if the ambient noise level of the area experiences high dB levels.
4.2 Vegetation
The Yamuna river plains are very fertile as they are rich in alluvial soil. Being in the ridge area of the city the site has the right factors that favor the growth of acacias and other cacti. The river substratum is sandy. Weed and grass grow in abundance on the banks of the Yamuna river. The trees found on site doesn’t specifically have any medicinal properties.
Figure 16: Sun path mapping (left) Thermal mapping (center) Wind pattern diagram (right)
Sun-path Analysis: Between the two solstices, Delhi’s day length changes by about 4hours and offset by about 2 hours each at sunrise and sunset.
Maximum temp: 43-48degrees | Minimum temp: 7-13degrees
Thermal Map Analysis:
1) Road Networks and Flyovers: Heat island effect makes the area on and around the bridge hotter. Vehicular traffic adds to it.
2) River: Water takes time to heat up or cool down, hence making the temperature around it less variable.
3) Vegetation on site: The greenery around site provide shade and make the temperature around a bit cooler.
Wind Pattern Analysis:
Max Velocity: 11.4 km/h | Min Velocity: 4.7 km/h | Average Velocity: 8.1 km/h
4.4
Figure 17: Noise Level Mapping
To ensure the qualitative solution for creating the acoustical environment, this site was chosen as its the close to the Kashmere Gate/ISBT in Delhi which registers around 75 decibel(dB) of sound on a typical day. Although, the site for this project is comparatively less noisy than the above, along the length of bridge due to honking and vehicular traffic noise level recorded ranges from 80-83dB on a typical day.
The Real Time Analysis (RTA) test was conducted on 28th October 2021 using the NTi Audio Sound meter and the report on Frequency vs dB level was generated. The readings were taken at 3-time intervals of the day (10:30am, 2:30am and 6:30pm) and then comparative was done to take out the average noise level condition of the site area on a typical day.
Figure 18: Noise Level RTA reading taken at 10:30am
Figure 19: Noise Level RTA reading taken at 02:30pm
Figure 20: Noise Level RTA reading taken at 06:30pm
The above reports concluded spike changes in the Frequency levels at the marked dB levels. Final analysis concluded that the average noise level from vehicular traffic at 3-time intervals of the day is 81.2dB on any typical day.
According to CPCB, the average noise level condition for a healthcare facility should be around 45-50dB in daytime and 40-45dB in the evening, therefore a reduction of value of 40-45dB is required.
5.1 Design Parameters and Principles
After an extended and insightful research of acoustics and autism through various literature and case studies, following are the design principles that indicate promising results in healing/treatment for individuals with ASD. These design principles with other common sensory environment parameters such as acoustics, texture, lighting, ceiling heights, etc. can help in building safe and better acoustical environments for the individuals with ASD. These can be also used as a design matrix or the basic guidelines while designing for respective individuals:
5.1.1 Acoustics
Further empirical research has demonstrated that lowering noise and managing speech intelligibility in educational environments improves attention spans, response times, and behavioral temperament in children with autism, as evaluated by occurrences of self-stimulatory behavior.
This criterion suggests that the acoustical environment in areas utilized by people with ASD has to be regulated to reduce background noise, echo, and reverberation. The degree of acoustical management should vary depending on the amount of attention necessary in the activity at hand inside the area, as well as the skill level and, as a result, the severity of the autism of the users.
5.1.2 Spatial Sequencing
Spatial Sequencing is a technique for determining the location of objects in any space. This criterion is based on the idea of using individuals with autism's preference for regularity and predictability.
Transition Zones should allow spaces to move as smoothly as possible from one activity to the next through one-way circulation, with little interruption and distraction.
5.1.3 Escape spaces
The goal of such locations is to give a break from the overstimulation that autistic people face in their everyday lives. Empirical research has demonstrated that such places, particularly in learning situations, have a favorable impact. A small partitioned area or crawl space in a quiet region of a room, or quiet nooks across a structure, are examples of such places. These places should provide a neutral sensory environment with minimum stimulation that the user may adapt to give the required sensory input.
5.1.4 Compartmentalization
This criterion is based on the idea of compartmentalizing a classroom or even an entire building to define and restrict the sensory environment of each activity. Each compartment should have a single, well-defined purpose and, as a result, a high sensory quality. The partitions between these divisions does not have to be stark; it may be achieved by different furniture arrangements, different floor coverings, different levels, or even different lighting. Each space's sensory features should be used to identify its purpose and distinguish it from its adjoining compartment.
5.1.5 Sensory Zoning
Instead than using the traditional architectural technique of functional zoning, this criterion recommends that when building for autism, areas should be structured according to their sensory quality. Spaces are divided into "high-stimulus" and "low-stimulus" zones based on their
maximum permissible stimulation level. Physical therapy and gross motor skill development spaces are examples of places that require high attentiveness and physical activity. Spaces for speech treatment, computer skills, and libraries might be included in the latter.
5.1.6 Transition zones
Transition zones assist the user reset their senses as they go from one level of input to the next, facilitating both Spatial Sequencing and Sensory Zoning. Such zones can take many different shapes, ranging from a single node that shows a change in circulation to a whole sensory room that allows the user to re-calibrate their sensory stimulation level before shifting from a highstimulus to a low-stimulus environment.
5.1.7 Safety
Safety is always a concern when building learning spaces, but it's much more so for children with autism who may have a distorted perception of their surroundings. Some basic examples are fittings that protect against hot water and avoiding sharp edges and corners.
The total site area is 32000 sq. m. with a ground coverage of 30% therefore, with ground coverage = 9600 sq.m.
F. A. R. according to the building bye laws of Delhi for a healthcare facility is 1.5
The total built up area = 9600x1.5 = 14,400 sq.m
5.3
The sensory zoning is based on three parameters i.e. The low stimulus zones, The high stimulus zones and the Transition spaces. Based on which following programs were categorized into their type by determining the activity they have respectively.
22: Detailed Area program
5.5 Plans
5.5.1 Site Plan
5.5.2 Ground Floor Plan Detailed
5.5.3 First Floor Plan
5.5.4 First Floor Plan Detailed
26: First floor plan detailed
The site being close to river Yamuna gives the potential for increasing vegetation that can be flood responsive as well as add an environmental impact value. Therefore, the zone near the river bank is divided into 3 parts with flood responsive vegetation that adds a blissful user experience to the sensory boardwalk as well as becomes a response to the flood area in case of the same.
Zone 1: Plants, Shrubs and Trees with least water retention property, however bearing more flowers and fruits.
Zone 2: Plants can grow in 2” standing water and has mild water retention properties and bears flowers that bloom throughout the year.
Zone 3: Plants can grow in 12” standing water and has high water retention properties. Grows mostly near river banks.
5.5.7 Render and Views
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