noise

Post-occupancy evaluation is a method for assessing building performance and human needs in line with predetermined design objectives. Enhancing indoor environmental quality is one of the primary focuses of this method. This study investigates the satisfaction levels of employees in Bandar Abbas's offices with the IEQ of their workspaces using POE. It is located in the south of Iran. Thus, this study is the first to use POE to assess IEQ in administrative buildings in Iran. This city is The factors evaluated to determine IEQ include lighting, noise, temperature, and ventilation. The research questions addressed are: What is employee satisfaction with the IEQ in the administrative offices of Bandar Abbas? What are the reasons for employee dissatisfaction with the IEQ in these offices? This applied research utilizes a mixed-method approach comprising two stages: quantitative data collection and qualitative data collection. In the quantitative phase, data were collected using standardized Likert-scale questionnaires. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews were conducted to uncover the reasons behind the results obtained from the quantitative data. The results indicate that the highest satisfaction level is associated with the lighting factor, followed by temperature and ventilation, while the lowest pertains to the noise factor. Overall, dissatisfaction with the lighting factor includes the lack of windows, poor maintenance, improper building orientation, excessive room depth, small windows, and inadequate calculation of artificial lighting needs. The reasons for dissatisfaction with the noise factor include disturbing noise from others' conversations, partitioned spaces allowing noise to flow, echoing noise in the lobby, and lack of noise control. Regarding the temperature and ventilation factor, dissatisfaction includes the inability to open windows, unpleasant odors due to proximity to restrooms, lack of openings, and obstructed airflow from air conditioners due to tall partitions, poor maintenance, and inadequate window insulation.

The extant s tudy aimed to analyze the acous tic comfort situation in contemporary apartments based on urban spaces in Tabriz, Iran. This s tudy was conducted using a quantitative method within the field survey at two levels of the ques tionnaire (perceptual situation) and field measurements (acous tical condition). The researcher-made ques tionnaire was used to collect data in the firs t s tep. Architecture experts approved the validity of the ques tionnaire; its reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha (0.926). All experiments associated with airborne noise field measurements (background sound and sound pressure level) were done using 2260Inves tigator. Firs t, background noise was measured in two open and closed windows inside the considered residential units. In the next s tep, sound pressure level (SPL) Figures were plotted using level rate and sound s tandard in different plan spaces. Ultimately, the authors assessed noise criteria and their difference with sound levels. The results indicated the undeniable effect of traffic, among other variables of acous tic comfort, on dissatisfaction caused by noise in urban areas of Tabriz. This effect was not only definite but also so significant that there was no change in patterns emerging in noise level, even based on the SPL measurements.

Today, medical centers are considered to be healing environments. A healing environment provides a space with a positive effect on its occupants. Architecture has an undeniable role in creating such an environment. Comfort factors should be carefully considered when designing health centers. Amongst these factors, acoustic comfort in hospitals plays a prominent role. The adverse effects of noise on patients have been well documented in many studies. Architectural design can have a major impact on the quality of a hospital's acoustic comfort. In this article, studies related to the acoustic design of therapeutic buildings are reviewed. First, different approaches to building acoustic analysis will be reviewed. Then, architectural approaches for controlling noise pollution in medical centers are discussed. Common criteria concerning acoustic comfort in healthcare spaces are introduced. Major acoustic annoyance factors in medical centers are discussed and some potential solutions are presented. This review shows that factors such as site selection, arrangement of different sections, facilities, internal and external noise sources, geometry and structure of the interiors and construction materials have a direct impact on the acoustic comfort of the hospital. General guidelines in acoustical design of medical centers are presented. Some psychological and mental factors associated with acoustic annoyance have also been introduced.