os D u ud n
a modular soundproofing panel that's no dud!

fun fact.
coconut husk fibers used to be part of armors


emergent architecture.
in fulfillment of the requirements of the EMERGE3 specialization track
a modular soundproofing panel that's no dud!
fun fact.
coconut husk fibers used to be part of armors
emergent architecture.
in fulfillment of the requirements of the EMERGE3 specialization track
of the Bachelor of Science in Architecture
School of Environmental Design
DLS - CSB
Under the mentorship of:
Ar. Lyle La Madrid & Ar. Cayner Curitana
According to the World Health Organization, noise can lead to infections, stress, and other illnesses whereas they were able to conclude that noise pollution causes the same level of risks as any other type of pollution The behavior of an individual or of a group is heavily influenced by the surrounding environment they are in In the Philippines today, there are currently several laws that tackle excessive noise and public nuisance. Although, with the recent pandemic and work from home setups we are in right now, it is important to question whether architectural and structural designs in small spaces such as condominiums are able to support this type of lifestyle.
In this study, the researchers aim to determine the best design for a soundproofing material that will provide the Philippines with more high quality soundproofing options. In addition, this study aims to develop a modular soundproofing option that is both aesthetically pleasing and cost-efficient that will encourage privacy and sustainability for its users
The Philippines, especially its big cities, is quite a lively but boisterous scene. It is more surprising to have a quiet day than a day filled with noise from the streets, the neighbors’ parties, and the on-going and never-ending road or water construction down the street This shared experience is how the researchers were led to the production of the Soundud – a modular soundproofing panel with a purpose to provide another high-quality soundproofing option in the local market that’s easy to buy and easy to apply for residential spaces. Derived from its name, the Soundud is created to cancel out noise and let its mission to be a pollutant and public nuisance fail
City living, work-from-home conditions, condominium life and other residential related instances denote exposure to noise pollution whether by traffic, neighborhood or industrial noise Nonetheless, there is a scarcity in terms of sound proofing sources in the Philippines locally To pursue quietness by design, our task is to provide more options of sound proofing that are accessible, aesthetic and affordable to the masses, and simultaneously be sustainable with our chosen materials.
The external environment can deeply impact individuals internally, and sound can influence people in the same manner. The purpose of this thesis is to address undesirable noise through sound absorption by discovering alternative materials in sound proofing If this issue is neglected, noise pollution can lead to deafness, sleep disorders, cardiovascular health problems, mental problems and hypertension (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2022)
procedure: a standard stereo speaker would be placed inside the box or chamber wherein the sound absorption of the material is obtained for 5 minutes
decibel meter SPL meter iPad application
purpose: a decibel meter that can measure the sound level performance for each material in the experiment
dependent: tested and approved materials that are readily available in the market independent: proponents' own combination of materials [the soundud panel]
Add 1/3 cup of PVA glue to cup
Add 2/3 cup of Coconut Husks to cup
Mix the PVA glue and Coconut husks until fully covered
Lay the mixture evenly and press down with heavy weight until dry
Coconut husks boiled in water and strained
Impurities removed and the husk fibers separated by hand
Coconut husk fibers laid out evenly.
PU foam applied
Compressed with spare board and weights.
Same as Test 2 but with less PU foam Applied
The project required exploring material options, venturing into more testing and form exploration. Once the desired layers, material composition and sound proofing levels were achieved, we strived to accomplish our prototype following our goals to design an aesthetic and functional sound proofing panel design & exploration stage testing stages
final stage (end goal)
material selection design & form +
layering and acoustics testing
lack of stakeholder expectations
Based on other experimentations, the testing of materials was conducted under multiple frequencies to test how well it would perform under different noise conditions. This can help further fine-tune the product to fit a variety of environments and conditions
The proper testing method to get a Sound Transmission Class (STC) Rating should be used in order to properly compare it against the standard STC ratings of other products.
Impact noise, such as footsteps or dropping objects, can travel through floors and walls This test evaluates the panel's ability to reduce impact noise transmission. A source of impact noise is introduced on one side of the panel, and measurements are taken on the other side to determine the reduction in impact noise
Installing panels in real-world settings and conducting listening tests can provide valuable feedback on their practical effectiveness This involves measuring sound levels before and after installation and gathering subjective opinions on sound quality and reduction.
subdued = quiet
dud = fail =
"soundud" is the failure of sound
4 in 1
the soundud panels are sold in packs of four since one triangular soundud panel has the small dimensions of
270 mm x 130 mm x 30 mm thk 4 panels fit in a standard 30 x 30 cm acoustic sheet
research findings show that forming a spiderweb leads to efficient sound absorption
from this, the soundud shape was formed [triangular]
aim to repurpose these natural fibers [bound with PU Foam]
lightweight, affordable, and accessible
1 2 3 4
cork proven as efficient sound dampeners
o
for further sound absorption
The amalgamation of coconut husk, cork, cardboard, and foam board in the Soundud soundproof panel epitomizes a thoughtful fusion of natural and recycled elements. This composition not only contributes to enhanced acoustic insulation but also champions sustainability
The possible configurations are limited only by one's own creativity. Traditional soundproofing solutions often sacrifice aesthetics for utility, imposing limitations on design freedom and spatial adaptability. In stark contrast, Soundud envisions a world where homeowners and designers can craft acoustic environments that mirror their creative visions Through a pioneering modular framework, these soundproof panels can be effortlessly arranged into an array of shapes, sizes, and patterns, tailoring both auditory comfort and visual appeal to each unique space.
Beyond the remarkable adaptability, Soundud’s modular design embodies the essence of versatility Whether it's the cozy confines of a living room, the sprawling openness of a loft, or the intimacy of a home office, Soundud panels gracefully harmonize with the contours of any space The modular concept transcends the constraints of conventional soundproofing solutions, allowing homeowners to curate acoustic experiences that resonate with their lifestyles and aesthetic preferences.
full wall capability.
made to fit any space.
made possible by iterations introducing the soundud corner pieces
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2022, August). Clean Air Act
Title IV - Noise Pollution EPA gov https://www epa gov/clean-air-act-overview/cleanair-act-title-iv-noise-pollution
Everest, F Alton , & Pohlmann, Ken C (2009) Master Handbook of Acoustics McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Hong Hua. (2020). Acoustic coconut fiber panel. https://studiohuahong.com/AcousticCoconut-Fiber-Panel
fun fact burning coconut husk fibers make good insect repellant