The open office has made the acoustic products market explode, as interior designers try to eliminate unwanted noise and help workers focus in the workplace. Because of that, we now have access to acoustic solutions of many materials, aesthetics, and price points – and that’s a good thing.
However, our knowledge of acoustics, and designers and architects’ understanding of the most meaningful acoustic measurements, is still evolving. Because the market is saturated with options, we get the good, the bad, and the ugly, and many companies put forth products with acoustic claims that are either grossly inaccurate or simply don’t mean anything.

Beyond that, designers and architects are still learning how to actually use acoustic products – how to choose the right ones, and then how to properly position them in the project space to solve the acoustic issues they’re facing. At the same time, they’re also still mastering the art of convincing clients that acoustic solutions, and the assistance of an acoustician, are a valuable part of the project and well-worth a piece of the budget.
Architects and designers are also hard-pressed for time; they’re busy doing their jobs and most often won’t be able to carve out time to dive into the traditional textbook-like resources that acousticians learn from.
A few weeks ago at the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair, BAUX, the Swedish acoustic architectural solutions company with a sustainable focus, launched The Book of Acoustics, a practical field guide to acoustics. The BAUX team compiled the book by putting together an impressive team of scholars, acousticians, and practitioners from the medical and scientific communities. We checked out the new book and caught up with Fredrik Franzon, founding partner of BAUX.

“Our view is that acoustics are a very important area, because of its connection to wellbeing,” said Mr. Franzon. “But, it’s also a very difficult area because it deals with physics.”
“Many acoustics books read like heavy textbooks. We wanted to create something that works as a practical guide – a handbook that has a little bit of the physics, but focuses on the basics of how sound works, how it’s measured, and the most important things to focus on.”
“Great acoustics can increase productivity and learning, and we’re now at a point where all of these ideas are evidence-based. And the knowledge and evidence are developing much quicker than even just five to ten years ago. Most architects and designers are aware that acoustics are important, but struggle with how to treat it. We work closely with acousticians who know exactly how to walk into a space and examine its acoustics – for example, how to look at the angle of the ceiling, and know where problem areas are, how to correct them, and what and how much of something to use. They know that one solution won’t fit every problem.”

Architects and designers understandably do not have an acoustician-level knowledge of sound and acoustics – and they shouldn’t. BAUX’s Book of Acoustics provides a perfect level of “working knowledge” about the topic that will help designers navigate the evolving acoustics world as they complete projects. “I think one of the most valuable parts of the book is the Commercial Applications section, where we walk through practical examples in every industry. That’s how designers really learn – by doing.”
To give you an idea of what’s covered in the book, here’s a quick run-through of categories of focus:
>The Fundamentals of Sound Countrol. What is sound; common sound wave behavior in indoor spaces; sound that lingers; and the ABCDs of sound control.
>Essential Measurements. Reverberation time, speech intelligibility, sound levels, and sound absorption.
>Types of Acoustic Treatments. Sound absorbers, sound blockers, sound maskers, sound diffusers, and a section on important acoustical treatment ratings.
>Treatment Placement. Placement by room shape, and how much material to use.
>Benefits of Acoustic Design. Health and wellbeing; focus and productivity; listening and learning; and safety and security.
>The Past and Future of Acoustics.
>How to Design with Acoustics. Form versus function; 6 rules for excellent acoustic design; aural acoustics; the step by step process for designing with acoustics; budget considerations; and the acoustic design toolbox.
>Commercial Applications. Why and how acoustic design must follow space function: workplaces, education, healthcare, and dining rooms.
>Troubleshooting. Acoustic design do’s and don’ts; quick guide to solving common problems; and a section titled, Does this space need treatment?



BAUX recently conducted a survey of its clients, including companies like Google, Amazon and Facebook, to collect valuable data about how those clients view acoustics and acoustic products. The final survey results are not complete just yet, but Mr. Franzon gave us a preview.

“One of the most interesting things we found was the difference among geographic locations. The United States and Europe are quite far ahead in the understanding and application of acoustics, while Asia is farther behind. In the U.S., people are installing acoustic products with the goal of increasing productivity. In Europe, they’re more focused on using acoustic products to impact health and wellbeing. It has been interesting to see how our clients’ offices in different regions are designed.”
Franzon also pointed out the importance of individuality in sound.
“Sound is also very personal. Everyone experiences sounds differently, with differing preferences, so it’s important to develop a basic line of understanding of sound to start working from.”
BAUX handed out several hundred books at its launch in Stockholm. The book is currently complementary, and anyone is able to sign up to request a copy on the BAUX website. If you’d like to learn more about this young company check out our previous coverage. In the future, it will be available for a small charge. If you can, snag a copy before they run out…or start charging!