DESIGN SIDE
Eliminating
Audible
Garbage
We Have the Power to Remove Product and
Technology Noises from Our Living and
Learning Environments
By Jamie Briesemeister
Remember being in class and hearing
someone’s squeaky shoe during a test? Or
perhaps you had a
ballpoint pen “clicker” sit a
you – drawing your attention
to his thumb and color of the ink, all while you
imagined ripping the pen out of his hand.
While we can’t always eliminate “people”
sounds, we can design our smart home audio
systems in preparation for them, with the goal of
minimizing or eliminating them. In design and
product selection, we also have the option to
choose products that operate in silence (or near
silence), versus those that result in hums, beeps,
clicks, and the relentless sound of grinding
motors.
As someone who is sensitive to light and
sound, I’ve always struggled in loud, chaotic
26 Residential Tech Today | July/August 2019
environments, but here’s the thing: it’s not just
because I’m sensitive to these sensations.
Research has proven that this “audible garbage”
can distract from sufficient learning in
educational environments and interfere with
sleep in healthcare. Heart rates are shown to
increase with loud environments while altering
behavior and social interactions. As specifiers in
home technology, interior designers in homes
and commercial spaces, and architects that love
open floorplans, we have the power to remove
audible garbage from our listening environment.
I’ll start with open floorplans and the hard
surfaces connected to them. These areas tend to
be beautiful and look stunning when showcased
in our favorite interior architecture magazines.
Yet, when you look at the reality of how the
space is used, it’s often multi-functional, full of
people and sounds.
The kitchen is a perfect example of mass
chaos, both in its function and decibel level.
People come in and out, appliances whir and
beep, homework is attempted, audio/visual
systems add to the entertainment experience,
and it can be loud. The same concept applies
in noisy classrooms, where students report
feeling dizzy, uncomfortable, and having a
hard time understanding their teacher.
Let’s fix the problem before it starts by
designing ahead of poor learning or dizzy
students. Consider soft fabrics in specific areas,
acoustic treatments in open spaces, and how
people communicate (both the speaker and
listener) in these environments to ensure your
Rbeing
squeaky
little too close to yo
to his thumb and c