Open Acoustic Windows

Everybody recognises the need for good acoustic conditions indoors. We are familiar with the fact that noise can impact on our ability to listen, concentrate, and relax. Noise can also deprive us of good quality sleep.

What a lot of people do not recognise however is that exposure to noise can also

affect our mental and physical health. As noise can impact on our health and quality of life it is material planning consideration for new development in the UK (see the Planning Practice Guidance for Noise and the Professional Practice Guidance: Planning and Noise for New Residential Development).

Noise protection = health protection

Most people also recognise the need to open windows to maintain healthy living conditions indoors.

Opening windows is necessary for a variety of reasons. For example, opening windows is necessary for good ventilation, to cool buildings during the summer months, to prevent mould growth, to reduce pollutants indoors and remove odours. People may also like to open windows to psychologically connect with their external environments.

The problem is that open windows create an acoustic weakness in a façade and allow noise to be easily transmitted from outside to inside. Until recently it was thought that the tension between acoustics and ventilation could only be resolved by balancing the need for good acoustics against the need to have windows open. In other words, people were faced with a choice:

1) have windows open and accept the noise or 2) close windows and accept a lack of fresh air.

The introduction of open acoustic windows means that it is no longer necessary to make uncomfortable choices. It is now possible to have good acoustics with windows open.

Innovative windows by Acoustic Facades, working in partnership with Eilenbuger Fenstertechnik in Germany, are designed to reduce noise when they are open. The acoustic windows are a specially designed box-type or plenum window. The principle is based on two windows that can be

opened offset, either vertically or horizontally or both. 

 Open acoustic windows can be provided using different fields and configurations according to the specific needs of each project. The windows can be configured according to the orientation of the noise source in relation to the window in order to maximise directivity losses.  They can also be configured to be effective when used in combination with acoustic balconies or other façade elements that provide acoustic screening.