| Title |
An Analysis of the Acoustic Effects of Remodeling a Multipurpose Room in M Elementary School |
| Authors |
박세환(Park, Se Hwan) ; 이경선(Lee, Kyung Sun) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2025.41.8.123 |
| Keywords |
Acoustic Environment; Educational Space; Multipurpose Room; Remodeling; Acoustic Parameters; Post-Occupancy Evaluation |
| Abstract |
In response to declining student populations and increasingly diverse curricula, school facilities are being adapted into flexible, multipurpose
spaces. These spaces, used for activities like presentations, performances, and group collaboration, are often created by converting traditional
classrooms that were not designed with acoustics in mind. This study evaluates the acoustic effects of an architectural renovation in an
elementary school’s multipurpose activity room. Both quantitative measurements and a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) were conducted.
Acoustic performance was assessed based on international standards, including ANSI/ASA S12.60 from the United States, BB93 from the
United Kingdom, and WHO guidelines, across five indicators: background noise level (BNL), reverberation time (RT), speech clarity (D50),
speech transmission index (STI), and sound pressure level difference (ΔSPL). Measurements followed ISO 3382-1 and IEC 60268-16
protocols. A total of 117 students and teachers participated in pre- and post-renovation surveys using the same questionnaires. Statistical
analyses, including paired-sample t-tests and Cohen’s d, were used to assess significance and effect sizes. Results showed that all acoustic
indicators improved after renovation, with STI and D50 rising from fair to good levels. User perceptions also improved significantly across
all survey items, aligning with measured outcomes. These findings confirm that well-designed acoustics can greatly enhance both the
performance and user satisfaction of learning spaces, highlighting their role in future school renovations. |