“A well-designed space is experienced through more than its visual character. As buildings become denser and layouts more open, acoustic comfort is gaining greater importance in shaping how people work, live and interact. Ms Shruti Shah, Director, TIKIDAN, discusses why sound needs to be considered early in the design process and how a more integrated approach can create spaces that perform as well as they look.”
Architecture and interiors are often discussed in terms of visual aesthetics, functionality and materials, but sound is not always given the same attention. Why do you think acoustic comfort has become an increasingly important aspect of designing spaces today?
A space is experienced through much more than what we see. Its soundscape directly influences how comfortable, private, focused or restful it feels. A beautifully designed room can still feel uncomfortable if conversations from adjoining spaces, traffic or building services become distracting.
As cities become denser and buildings increasingly adopt open layouts, expansive glazing and shared services, managing sound has become more challenging. With greater focus on wellness and indoor environmental quality, acoustic comfort needs to be considered alongside light, ventilation, materials and layout, rather than addressed only after construction.
From homes and offices to hospitality and commercial environments, how does the acoustic quality of a space influence the way people experience and interact with it? What are some common acoustic issues that designers tend to overlook?
In architecture and interiors, the focus is often on how a space looks, while sound is considered only when a problem becomes noticeable. Noise from adjoining rooms, offices, traffic, services or hospitality areas can then affect privacy, concentration, rest and overall comfort.
Once these issues emerge, it is important to understand how sound is travelling through the building. Floor-to-wall connections, ceilings, partitions, service penetrations and other junctions can become weak points for sound transmission. The challenge is therefore not simply about treating a surface, but understanding and managing how sound moves through the entire building system.
Acoustic solutions are sometimes brought into a project towards the end of the design process. Why is it important to consider acoustics at the planning and design stage itself, and what difference can this make to the final outcome?
Acoustic planning should begin alongside the structure, spatial layout and building services. By the finishing stage, many decisions affecting acoustic performance have already been made, making corrections more disruptive, expensive and potentially compromising the design.
Considering acoustics early allows potential sound paths and weak points to be identified and addressed as part of the overall building system. It also enables better coordination between architects, designers, acoustic consultants and project teams. Early planning therefore helps create better-performing spaces while protecting the original design intent.
When designing for sound, what should architects and interior designers look beyond simply selecting an acoustic material? How important are factors such as the overall building system, detailing, installation and integration with the design?
Architects and interior designers need to look at how sound moves through the entire building system rather than viewing acoustics as a standalone element. Floor-to-wall connections, partition-to-ceiling junctions, service penetrations, floors, ceilings and the building envelope can all influence acoustic performance.
Even a high-performing solution can be compromised by gaps, poorly detailed junctions or uncoordinated services. Installation and sequencing are equally important, particularly when multiple trades are involved. The objective should be an integrated approach where acoustic performance, detailing, installation, aesthetics and functionality work together.
With the introduction of AUDAL in India, what gap or opportunity do you see in the Indian built environment when it comes to acoustic design? How does AUDAL’s approach seek to bring acoustics more centrally into the design conversation?
India’s cities are becoming denser, with more shared walls, floors, building services and complex building envelopes, creating a greater need for effective acoustic planning. Yet acoustics is often considered only once a problem emerges.
AUDAL brings decades of specialised expertise in acoustic insulation to India through a dedicated specialist brand focused on “Mastering Acoustics.” Its approach is centred on encouraging a more systems-based view of acoustic design, working with architects, designers, consultants and project teams from the design stage.
Built around four core principles—Innovation, Reliability, Compatibility and Time-saving—AUDAL combines technical expertise with a design-led approach to help integrate acoustics more effectively into contemporary spaces.
Looking ahead, how do you see the role of acoustic design evolving across Indian residential, workplace, hospitality and commercial spaces? Do you believe designing for sound could become as fundamental to good design as designing for light, ventilation and visual comfort?
Acoustic design will increasingly become a fundamental part of good spatial design. In homes, it can support privacy and rest; in workplaces, concentration, collaboration and confidentiality; and in hospitality, comfort and the overall guest experience.
As people become more conscious of wellness and indoor environmental quality, they will look beyond how a space looks to how it feels, functions and sounds. This will encourage the industry to move from treating acoustics as a remedial requirement to considering it during the initial design conversation.
Ultimately, sound should be deliberately designed alongside light, ventilation, materials and spatial planning to create spaces that perform as well as they look.
