Indoor Soundscape and Natural Ventilation in Residential Buildings

Buildings play an important role in defining the boundaries between the exterior and interior environment. Ventilation openings such as operable windows, patio doors, skylights etc. constitute the enclosure’s connection between the inside and outside. The connection they provide has been identified as a limiting factor in the use of natural ventilation this is due to the conflict between ventilation needs of the users and the intrusion of external noise. Indoor soundscape focuses on how the occupants perceive, experience, and understand the indoor acoustic environment in the context of their activities. Using soundscape research methodology combined with quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, sound measurements were carried out in the residences of sixteen participants under closed and opened window conditions. Based on the research findings from the combined data sources, recommendations for the application of passive noise control strategies were made to provide favourable indoor soundscape for occupants while enjoying the benefits of natural ventilation under opened window conditions.