Office soundscape assessment: A model of acoustic environment perception in open-plan offices

West, Benjamin and Deuchars, Angus and Ali-MacLachlan, Islah (2024) Office soundscape assessment: A model of acoustic environment perception in open-plan offices. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 156 (5). pp. 2949-2959. ISSN 0001-4966

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Abstract

The soundscape approach has been utilised in recent research for residential environments, but applications to indoor working environments remain limited. This study investigated the suitability of affective quality evaluations of open-plan office acoustics. Perceptual assessments were completed by occupants of eight open-plan office floorplates, using affective dimensions outlined in PD ISO/TS 12913-3:2019 and indoor soundscape studies. Participant demographic, contextual, work-related quality, and psychological well-being data was collected. Workstation noise levels were measured following BS ISO 22955:2021. Principal component analysis identified Pleasantness, Eventfulness, and Emptiness as the main perceptual dimensions, cumulatively explaining 56% of the total variance. Results indicate the suitability of the PD ISO/TS 12913-3:2019 two-dimensional model for open-plan offices. The perceived presence of human sounds negatively correlated with ISO Pleasantness yet positively correlated with ISO Eventfulness. Participant gender and aural diversity mediated ISO Pleasantness. Psychological well-being and work-related quality correlated positivelywith soundscape pleasantness. No correlations were found between level-based acoustical indicators—equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq), level exceeded 10% (LA10) and 90% (LA90) of the time, level variability (LA10-LA90) and Liveliness—and perceptual scores. A conceptual representation of open-plan office soundscape perception is presented, offering a framework for evaluating and designing workspaces to enhance well-being.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1121/10.0034230
Dates:	Date Event 8 October 2024 Accepted 1 November 2024 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	office soundscape assessment, acoustic perception, open-plan offices, indoor soundscapes, soundscapes, psychoacoustics
Subjects:	CAH11 - computing > CAH11-01 - computing > CAH11-01-01 - computer science
Divisions:	Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > College of Computing
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	25 Oct 2024 13:34
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2024 12:35
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15941

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