Chapman Graduate School of Business Acoustical Systems Case Study

1. Chapman Graduate School of BusinessAcoustical Systems Case Study Kamilah Bermudez Elizabeth Berryman Nicole Figueroa Building Systems for Interior Designers Katie Rothfield October 12, 2010

2. Table of Contents: Abstract ………………………………………………………………………… 3 Project identification ………………………………………………………………………… 4 System Identification ……………………………………………………………………….. 5-19 Final Analysis ………………………………………………………………………… 20-22 References ………………………………………………………………………… 23 Figures ………………………………………………………………………… 24-25 Appendix ………………………………………………………………………… 26-31

3. Abstract: This study is designed  bring  awareness to the importance of building design,  interior design  and engineering design as they relate to acoustical issues and opportunities. In addition, how acoustical issues affect the end users experience in the built environment is significant as well.   To address this issue, the acoustics of this building complex was investigated starting with a review of the initial building usage, the design intent and the daily use of two of the completed purpose design built buildings. The goal of the case study is to identify specific scenarios and locations in both an administrative office and academic teaching environment in which the original Chapman Building acoustic solutions had a positive impact on the users’ experience.  In cases where the original design solution had a negative impact, the situation will be reviewed to verify if either resulted in a change in user behavior or if steps to modify the situation were implemented successfully thereby optimizing the building users’ experience. 

4. Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Graduate School of Business Fig.1 Courtyard creates communal space for both student and faculty alike. 11200 S.W. 8TH Street Miami, FL 33199 Year designed/planned- 2005 Year construction completed- 2008 92, 000 ft² / 9,000 m² Architects- KPF Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates Clients- Florida International University School of Business Administration Consultants- BEA International, Joint Venture Architect Awards- 2008 Merit Award winner in higher education category of the Florida Facilities Planning Association, Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design American Architecture Award 2008, Construction Association of South Florida Craftsmanship Award 2008. Chapman Graduate School of Business was designed with the intention of bringing students, faculty and administration together through the mutual spaces. The school is composed of two separate units; one housing classrooms, an auditorium, and student facilities while the other consists of faculty offices and an academic center. Both sides are unified by the courtyards in the middle. The courtyards and their water basin catch the westward breeze which keeps the spaces for student gathering cool throughout. The informal meeting areas provide a shared space where the students and faculty can unite while still promoting the independence the school requires for success.

5. Auditorium: Fig. 2 Wall detail in auditorium. Acoustic ceiling tiles: Designed to improve sound quality and block noise transmission. (Binggeli, p. 392- 393) Acoustic wall panel: Used as sound absorbent treatment to control reverberation, echo, and flutter Cushioned Auditorium Seating: Open-weave fabric, backed with sound absorbent material. (Binggeli, p. 388) Fig.3 Wall panel in auditorium. Fig. 6 Wall panel in auditorium. Fig. 5 Seating in auditorium. Fig. 4 Wall detail in auditorium.

6. Window Details: Tempered glass Fig. 7 Window detail from inside Chapman Building. Gypsum board Fig. 8 Window detail Acoustic blanket Tempered Glass: Tempered glass acts as a sound barrier by constructing two or more layer with an air cavity in-between them. (Binggeli, p. 407) Delivers better sound attenuation than non treated glass. Fig. 9 Window detail.

7. Doors: Application of continuous bead for acoustical caulk Acoustical caulking: A sealant used to reduce sound transmissions between adjacent spaces. Metal acoustical door Fig. 10 Door handle picture. Metal acoustical door Metal acoustical door: Provides sound transmission loss due to metallic properties. Application of continuous bead for acoustical caulk Acoustical caulk Metal door

8. Ceiling: Acoustic ceiling tiles: Designed to improve sound quality and block noise transmission. Located in the student lounge and banquet halls. Fig. 11 Banquet room ceiling. Fig. 14 Office ceiling. Fig. 15 Mechanical room ceiling. Acoustic ceiling tiles: Suspended ceilings often have these in combination with a modular grid system to cover plenum. Located in the cubical office area and classrooms. HVAC System: Using high quality equipment helps eliminate mechanical system noise. Fig. 16 Auditorium curved ceiling. Fig. 12 Student lounge ceiling. Curved Acoustical Canopies: Hung toward sound source. Located in the auditorium of the Chapman Building. Fig. 13 White noise ceiling detail. Sound Masking: Studies have shown that people are sensitive to background noise. Since the Chapman Building lacks acoustic design in some office spaces, they decided to use a technique known as sound masking. This is when two distinctive sounds can be heard simultaneously; they tend to obscure one another. (Binggeli, p. 384)

9. Ceiling: Classroom Acoustic Ceilings Auditorium Acoustic Ceiling Fig. 16 Auditorium curved ceiling. Fig. 14 Office ceiling.

10. Ineffective Ceiling: Open stair area issues: Too noisy; sound can echo from second to third floor. Fig. 13 White noise ceiling detail. Cubicle area: Too noisy; acoustic tile ineffective; required white noise equipment. Located in the third floor. Can also be found in second floor cubical area. Causes: Elevator opening onto cubicle office space used by the masses And cubicle walls made of hard surface material. Fig. 18 Metal staircase on third and second floor. Fig. 17 Stair case view from 2nd floor up.

11. Furniture: Fig. 19 Partition walls in office space. Partitions used in the Chapman Building offices have metal backings and fiberglass substrates, which allow the panels to have a higher sound absorption standard. (Binggeli, p. 397) Gypsum board Acoustic blanket

12. Furniture: Specular Reflection: Sound bouncing/reflecting off hard polished surfaces (Binggeli, p. 385). In the student lounge area carpet was used to help reduce this effect. Fig. 20 Student lounge .

13. Furniture: Fig. 22 Front view of auditorium. As stated in Building Systems for Interior Design, fully upholstered seating minimizes the difference in sound between the times when the room in full of people and when it is almost empty. Fig. 21 Seating in the auditorium.

14. Furniture: Fig. 23 Seating in banquet room. Fig. 24 Seating in the student lounge. Upholstery: In the Binggeli book, he stated that “Deep, porous upholstery absorbs most sounds from mid-range frequencies upward” (p. 399). These upholstery pieces can be found in the student lounge area and the banquet halls.

15. Partitions: Fig. 26 Shows acoustical door jamb or panel seal (Binggeli p.409). Sound Transmission: Whenever spaces share an opening, sound travels through the opening into adjacent spaces as sound finds the path of least resistance (Physics, Prof. Smith). By using airtight sealants such as rubber for example, we eliminate sound transmission between rooms. Fig. 27 Close up picture of partition wall in banquet room Fig. 25 Partition wall in banquet room opened.

16. Office: Treated Cement : Was used in the main staircase of the office interior. Because it is a reflective surface, it has poor acoustical qualities. Fig. 28 Metal stairs in second and third floor. This Zen garden was strategically placed in an open area of the office to assist with sound masking. It has sand and pebbles to help absorb sound as well as running water to mask other noises. The vertical space was designed to allow some of the remaining noise to travel upward and out of the main office space.

17. Banquet Room: “Reverberation is the persistence of a sound after the source of the sound has ceased”(Binggeli, p. 380). Binggeli also states that “the reverberation time for a room should be appropriate to the use of the space.” For example, in music halls a longer reverberation time is practical because it allows the sounds of the instruments to linger, creating rich harmonious sounds. In lecture halls, shorter reverberation times would be ideal because it allows for speech clarity (Binggeli, p. 380). Angled ceilings affect sound reverberation as well because in spaces with horizontal ceilings, sound reverberates uniformly up and down. This causes difficulty for listeners trying to hear from a distance. As opposed to angled ceilings, allow sound reverberation in all directions facilitating the hearing capacity for listeners. Carpet: The only floor finish that absorbs sound (Binggeli, p. 398).

18. Mechanical Room: Massive materials: Concrete generally reflect sound and resist mechanical vibrations (Binggeli, p. 387).

19. Outdoor: Planting grass and trees in large quantities provides a good amount of sound absorption. In the Chapman Building, there are no doors on the exterior of building except the ones leading towards the courtyard. This is most likely because the pathways throughout the building are high- traffic areas, meaning there will be lots of noise. Since one of the functions of the building is to serve as classrooms, this technique blocks out most of the unwanted noise. Providing a waterway, is also an effective way of absorbing unwanted noise.

20. Final Analysis - Staff: Hypothesis 1: Administrative staff members working in the third floor cubicle office spaces are frustrated with the acoustic quality of their working environment because of the sound from adjacent cubicles and the service elevator reverberates in this space. As a result they often work wearing headphones (i.e. IPODs). Conclusion: The interviews generally disprove the hypothesis regarding the administrative staff on the third floor. Many people interviewed stated that they were not bothered by the noise level in this space. There was one staff member, however, that was bothered by the noise generated from the footsteps on the stairs. Other than that, the staff is satisfied with the acoustics in this space. Priscilla Moreno, for example, said she was not bothered at all by the acoustics in the space. She is pretty far from other people and the elevators. She also feels that the cubicle walls allow for an ample amount of privacy. Hypothesis 2: Administrative staff members working on the second floor of the Chapman Administration building adjacent to the open staircase, which connects the second and third floor, feel distracted by noise created when the stairs are used because they are composed of stone and metal. As a result, many staff members in this area keep their doors closed in order to block out the noise while they are working. Conclusion: The interviews proved that the staff was affected by the noise levels generated from the use of the stairs. One employee- Ashley Capo, commented that anybody can hear what is said in the open staircase. Although we proved that the stair use would be a problem because of the materiality, we did not however prove nor disprove that staff members closed or left their doors open as a result of this occurrence. Hypothesis 3: Administrative staff members are pleased with the acoustics in the second floor Chapman Academic building banquet hall because the space can accommodate large or small groups without affecting the sound quality during meetings and presentations. As a result, the staff uses this room for formal meetings with guests of the school, i.e., potential donors or partners, whom they are trying to impress. Conclusion: No conclusion could be drawn from the persons interviewed because there was not enough information on the acoustical quality of the space. One staff member said “it works”, but there was not specific information about the acoustical design. of their tasks, it is possible that the equipment used in Java City may block out some of the noise generated by the students.

21. Final Analysis - Students: Hypothesis 1: Students feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the lounge and study area in the Chapman building because of the amount of noise they experience while trying to study. As a result, students go to other locations where the noise level will be less bothersome. Conclusion: It was proven that students were dissatisfied with the lounge and study area on the first floor of the Administration building because of the amount of noise experienced in that area. Through the student interviews, we found that although bothered by the noise, not all students relocate to another area but rather find ways to cope with the noise instead. For example, one student mentioned that they wear headphones (with music) to drown out the sounds. The source of sound in this area includes others talking, mechanical equipment in use, general foot traffic and music being played. Hypothesis 2: Students who take classes in the Chapman building auditorium are satisfied with the sound quality they experience while learning because they can hear everything they are being taught clearly and without interruptions. Conclusion: This hypothesis was disproved through personal interviews with students whom have had lectures in this space. Feedback provided in the interviews was that students often hear echoes in the room when a professor speaks using a microphone. Specifically, Yuki Sat stated that professors using microphones in the auditorium causes echoing, making it difficult for the students to hear what the professor is saying in the back of the classroom. However, another student commented that when a microphone is not used it is difficult to hear a lecture at the back of the room. Hypothesis 3: Students feel dissatisfied talking with administrators in the open cubicle spaces on the third floor in the Chapman Administration building because they feel they do not have enough privacy and that other people nearby can hear what they are discussing. As a result, students use other forms of communication with the staff instead of having face-to-face interactions. Conclusion: This hypothesis was proved correct through personal interviews with students utilizing the Chapman building who communicated they feel as if they do not have enough privacy when speaking with staff in the third floor cubicles. Student Andres Canada mentioned that he dislikes not being able to have face to face interactions with staff because there is not enough audible privacy in this area.

22. Conclusion This study accomplished one of its main objectives, which was to an bring awareness to the importance and the interrelatedness of building design, interior design and engineering design as they relate to acoustical issues and opportunities as well as how they affect the end users experience in the built environment. As a result of our analysis of the original design intent, personal interviews, studies of the architectural drawings followed by tours of the as built facility, it became evident that there are acoustical solutions that were incorporated into the Chapman Administration building after the fact to correct acoustical issues that may not have occurred had had the engineering and interior design team been working together earlier in the process. Examples include the white noise speaker systems and the noise screens installed outside the open staircase on the second floor of the administration building. Based upon our research, it appears that overall the Chapman Building complex is meeting the needs of its users. Through this case study we identified specific scenarios and locations in both the administrative office and academic teaching environments in which the original Chapman Building acoustic solutions had a positive impact on the users’ experience. Specifically, most users of the classrooms, the study rooms and the Banquet space indicated that the facilities met their needs acoustically. A surprisingly finding was that students frequently mentioned the Auditorium as space which was prone to echoing or an inability to hear the speaker if a microphone was not used. This finding is preliminary and will require additional research in order tom verify. In the instances where the original design solution did not meet all the user’s needs, i.e. loud noise in the student lounge area, and in the third floor cubicle space, it appears that the initial acoustical discomfort has resulted in a change in user behavior in order to use the spaces. For example, students desiring to study either go to a study room, use the student lounge at times when it would be less noisy or use their own sound blocking device such as earphones. Provided the weather is nice some students wishing to socialize move to the outside tables in the area adjacent to the student lounge area. The primary limitations of this study were the sample size and composition of the interview pool combined with the length of the interview questionnaire, and access to some of the relevant architectural drawings. Not all of the architectural plan files could be opened, thereby presenting the possibility that relevant information was missed. The scope of the survey covered a broad range of issues and perhaps lead the interviewees to not fully answer questions by the end of the interview (the acoustical questions were the last three questions to be asked). Additionally, the pool of interviewees sampled may not have been a true representation of the student body and staff using the buildings, i.e. several staff members were interviewed from the first floor Career Center but a limited number from the interior of the second floor office space. Additionally, there should have been further clarification of the types of students who should have been included. Specifically, although the classroom space is used by a broad base of students, the administration and the support spaces (i.e. Banquet room and study rooms) of the Chapman Graduate School of Business are intended to support the GRADUATE students of this school only. For this reason, many of the students from other schools within FIU or even Business undergraduates have no interaction with the administration and the spaces they occupy, limiting the data that could be collected and possibly affecting the data collected on the acoustical systems in these spaces today.

23. References: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. Retrieved 2010 from website: http://www.kpf.com/project.asp?T=3&ID=70 . Chapman Graduate School of Business. WorldArchitectureNews.com. (2008, February 18). KPF’s New Chapman Graduate School of Business opens in Miami. Retrieved from http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=1951

24. Figures: Figure 1 WorldArchitectureNews.com.(2008, February 18). Kpf’s new chapman graduate school of business opens in miami. Retrieved from http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview& upload_id=1951 Figure 2 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building Auditorium Figure 3 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building Auditorium Figure 4 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building Auditorium Figure 5 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building Auditorium Figure 6 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building Auditorium Figure 7 Site Observation Photograph: Window close up picture Figure 8 Site Observation Photograph: Window close up picture Figure 9 Site Observation Photograph: Window close up picture Figure 10 Site Observation Photograph: Door close up picture Figure 11 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building ceiling Figure 12 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building ceiling Figure 13 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building ceiling Figure 14 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building ceiling

25. Figures: Figure 15 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building ceiling Figure 16 Site Observation Photograph: Chapman Building ceiling Figure 17 Site Observation Photograph: Second and third floor metal stairs Figure 18 Site Observation Photograph: Second and third floor metal stairs Figure 19 Site Observation Photograph: Office partition Figure 20 Site Observation Photograph: Student lounge Figure 21 Site Observation Photograph: Auditorium seating Figure 22 Site Observation Photograph: Auditorium Figure 23 Site Observation Photograph: Banquet seating Figure 24 Site Observation Photograph: Student lounge seating Figure 25 Site Observation Photograph: Partition wall Figure 26 Site Observation Photograph: Diagram for partition seal Figure 27 Site Observation Photograph: Partition wall Figure 28 Site Observation Photograph: Metal staircase

26. Appendix - Interviews:

27. Administrative Staff Interviews Staff 1: Angie LetonaLocation: Career Services Building, first floor CBC124C Hypothesis 1:Administrative staff members working in the third floor cubicle office spaces are frustrated with the acoustic quality of their working environment because of the sound from adjacent cubicles and the service elevator reverberates in this space. As a result they often work wearing headphones (i.e. IPODs). Question/Answer 1:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the third floor cubicle office space? Yes. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2:Administrative staff members working on the second floor of the Chapman Administration building adjacent to the open staircase, which connects the second and third floor, feel distracted by noise created when the stairs are used because they are composed of stone and metal. As a result, many staff members in this area keep their doors closed in order to block out the noise while they are working. Question/Answer 2:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor landing area adjacent to the staircase connecting the second and third floor office spaces? N/A Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics in this open space that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 3:Administrative staff members are pleased with the acoustics in the second floor Chapman Academic building banquet hall because the space can accommodate large or small groups without affecting the sound quality during meetings and presentations. As a result, the staff uses this room for formal meetings with guests of the school, i.e., potential donors or partners, whom they are trying to impress. Question/Answer 3:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor banquet room? N/A. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Staff 2: KunleEkunkonkonyeLocation: Career Services, first floor, Room 124A Hypothesis 1:Administrative staff members working in the third floor cubicle office spaces are frustrated with the acoustic quality of their working environment because of the sound from adjacent cubicles and the service elevator reverberates in this space. As a result they often work wearing headphones (i.e. IPODs). Question/Answer 1:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the third floor cubicle office space? N/A. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2:Administrative staff members working on the second floor of the Chapman Administration building adjacent to the open staircase, which connects the second and third floor, feel distracted by noise created when the stairs are used because they are composed of stone and metal. As a result, many staff members in this area keep their doors closed in order to block out the noise while they are working. Question/Answer 2:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor landing area adjacent to the staircase connecting the second and third floor office spaces? N/A. Why or why not? In a visit I noticed it was really noisy. Is there anything about the acoustics in this open space that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 3:Administrative staff members are pleased with the acoustics in the second floor Chapman Academic building banquet hall because the space can accommodate large or small groups without affecting the sound quality during meetings and presentations. As a result, the staff uses this room for formal meetings with guests of the school, i.e., potential donors or partners, whom they are trying to impress. Question/Answer 3:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor banquet room? Yes. Why or why not? It is satisfying and works. Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. .

28. Administrative Staff Interviews (cont.) Staff 3: Maria Pradilla, administrative staffLocation: Second floor administration in cubicle adjacent to receptionist which causes some problems Hypothesis 1:Administrative staff members working in the third floor cubicle office spaces are frustrated with the acoustic quality of their working environment because of the sound from adjacent cubicles and the service elevator reverberates in this space. As a result they often work wearing headphones (i.e. IPODs). Question/Answer 1:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the third floor cubicle office space? Yes. Why or why not? Does not bother me at all. Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. She can hear commotion from other cubicles, depending on who is talking. Hypothesis 2:Administrative staff members working on the second floor of the Chapman Administration building adjacent to the open staircase, which connects the second and third floor, feel distracted by noise created when the stairs are used because they are composed of stone and metal. As a result, many staff members in this area keep their doors closed in order to block out the noise while they are working. Question/Answer 2:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor landing area adjacent to the staircase connecting the second and third floor office spaces? Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics in this open space that impacts your behavior? Explain. Visitors tend to bother her when the receptionist is away from her desk. Commotion from the waiting area is the only major distraction. Cannot hear footsteps or other human traffic sounds. Noise on the stairs does not really affect her because the traffic on the stairs is frequent. Hypothesis 3: Administrative staff members are pleased with the acoustics in the second floor Chapman Academic building banquet hall because the space can accommodate large or small groups without affecting the sound quality during meetings and presentations. As a result, the staff uses this room for formal meetings with guests of the school, i.e., potential donors or partners, whom they are trying to impress. Question/Answer 3:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor banquet room? N/A. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Staff 4: Veronica Sanchez, Java City worker. Location: Administration Building, Java City Hypothesis 1:Administrative staff members working in the third floor cubicle office spaces are frustrated with the acoustic quality of their working environment because of the sound from adjacent cubicles and the service elevator reverberates in this space. As a result they often work wearing headphones (i.e. IPODs). Question/Answer 1: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the JAVA CITY area? She is satisfied with the acoustics in the lounge/Java City area. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? She is able to communicate effectively with her coworkers. Nothing about the acoustics impacts her behavior. Explain. Hypothesis 2:Administrative staff members working on the second floor of the Chapman Administration building adjacent to the open staircase, which connects the second and third floor, feel distracted by noise created when the stairs are used because they are composed of stone and metal. As a result, many staff members in this area keep their doors closed in order to block out the noise while they are working. Question/ Answer 2:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor landing area adjacent to the staircase connecting the second and third floor office spaces? N/A Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics in this open space that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 3:Administrative staff members are pleased with the acoustics in the second floor Chapman Academic building banquet hall because the space can accommodate large or small groups without affecting the sound quality during meetings and presentations. As a result, the staff uses this room for formal meetings with guests of the school, i.e., potential donors or partners, whom they are trying to impress. Question/Answer 3:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor banquet room? N/A Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain.

29. Administrative Staff Interviews (cont.) Staff 5: John Nykolaiszyn, administrative staff Location: Administration Building, first floor room 127A. Hypothesis 1:Administrative staff members working in the third floor cubicle office spaces are frustrated with the acoustic quality of their working environment because of the sound from adjacent cubicles and the service elevator reverberates in this space. As a result they often work wearing headphones (i.e. IPODs). Question/Answer 1:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the first floor office space? Feels acoustics in first floor office space is fine. …colleagues yell form office to office. White noise and fan help him to concentrate. Why or why not? Music sometimes plays loudly. Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2:Administrative staff members working on the second floor of the Chapman Administration building adjacent to the open staircase, which connects the second and third floor, feel distracted by noise created when the stairs are used because they are composed of stone and metal. As a result, many staff members in this area keep their doors closed in order to block out the noise while they are working. Question/Answer 2:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor landing area adjacent to the staircase connecting the second and third floor office spaces? N/A Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics in this open space that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 3:Administrative staff members are pleased with the acoustics in the second floor Chapman Academic building banquet hall because the space can accommodate large or small groups without affecting the sound quality during meetings and presentations. As a result, the staff uses this room for formal meetings with guests of the school, i.e., potential donors or partners, whom they are trying to impress. Question/Answer 3:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor banquet room? Not satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor banquet room. Why or why not? During a presentation the room is too big and the speaker system is not loud enough. Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Staff 6: JulignaSastas, administrative staffLocation: Administration Building, third floor administrative staff reception area. Hypothesis 1:Administrative staff members working in the third floor cubicle office spaces are frustrated with the acoustic quality of their working environment because of the sound from adjacent cubicles and the service elevator reverberates in this space. As a result they often work wearing headphones (i.e. IPODs). Question/Answer 1:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the third floor cubicle office space? Indifferent to acoustics on third floor. The only noise that disrupts her is the clacking of heels when someone is walking on the stairs. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2:Administrative staff members working on the second floor of the Chapman Administration building adjacent to the open staircase, which connects the second and third floor, feel distracted by noise created when the stairs are used because they are composed of stone and metal. As a result, many staff members in this area keep their doors closed in order to block out the noise while they are working. Question/Answer 2:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor landing area adjacent to the staircase connecting the second and third floor office spaces? Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics in this open space that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 3:Administrative staff members are pleased with the acoustics in the second floor Chapman Academic building banquet hall because the space can accommodate large or small groups without affecting the sound quality during meetings and presentations. As a result, the staff uses this room for formal meetings with guests of the school, i.e., potential donors or partners, whom they are trying to impress. Question 3:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor banquet room? Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain.

30. Administrative Staff Interviews (cont.) Staff 7: Ashley Capo, staffLocation: second floor administration Hypothesis 1:Administrative staff members working in the third floor cubicle office spaces are frustrated with the acoustic quality of their working environment because of the sound from adjacent cubicles and the service elevator reverberates in this space. As a result they often work wearing headphones (i.e. IPODs). Question/Answer 1:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor office space? Commented that anybody can hear what is said in the open staircase. Did not have issues with acoustics, unless the people on the third floor really start to get noisy. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2:Administrative staff members working on the second floor of the Chapman Administration building adjacent to the open staircase, which connects the second and third floor, feel distracted by noise created when the stairs are used because they are composed of stone and metal. As a result, many staff members in this area keep their doors closed in order to block out the noise while they are working. Question/Answer 2:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor landing area adjacent to the staircase connecting the second and third floor office spaces? Commented that anybody can hear what is said in the open staircase. Did not have issues with acoustics, unless the people on the third floor really start to get noisy. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics in this open space that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 3:Administrative staff members are pleased with the acoustics in the second floor Chapman Academic building banquet hall because the space can accommodate large or small groups without affecting the sound quality during meetings and presentations. As a result, the staff uses this room for formal meetings with guests of the school, i.e., potential donors or partners, whom they are trying to impress. Question/Answer 3:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the second floor banquet room? N/A Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Staff 8 and 9 follow as hand written questionaires.

31. Student Interview Questions Student 1: Andres Cavada, Junior Electronics Engineer Location: Career Services, first floor, main room. Hypothesis 1: Students feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the lounge and study area in the Chapman building because of the amount of noise they experience while trying to study. As a result, students go to other locations where the noise level will be less bothersome. Question/Answer 1: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the lounge and study area in the Chapman building? Yes, I am satisfied. No it does not affect my productivity. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2: Students who take classes in the Chapman building auditorium are satisfied with the sound quality they experience while learning because they can hear everything they are being taught clearly and without interruptions. Question/ Answer 2: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the Chapman building auditorium? N/A Why or why not? Is there anything specifically about the acoustics in this space that you dislike and how does this affect your attitude about learning? Hypothesis 3: Students feel dissatisfied talking with administrators in the open cubicle spaces on the third floor in the Chapman Administration building because they feel they do not have enough privacy and other people nearby can hear what they are discussing. As a result, students use other forms of communication with the staff instead of having face-to-face interactions. Question/Answer 3: How does not being able have a face-to-face interaction with the staffs make you feel?  N/A. Do you feel there is enough privacy when holding a conversation with someone in the cubicles? No, there is not enough audible privacy. Visual privacy is acceptable. Why or why not? Student 2: Stephanie Lopez Junior Criminal Justice Location: Chapman Building, first floor, lounge area. Hypothesis 1: Students feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the lounge and study area in the Chapman building because of the amount of noise they experience while trying to study. As a result, students go to other locations where the noise level will be less bothersome. Question/Answer 1: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the lounge and study area in the Chapman building? No, it is very loud. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Yes, I have to put earphones on, if not I leave. Hypothesis 2: Students who take classes in the Chapman building auditorium are satisfied with the sound quality they experience while learning because they can hear everything they are being taught clearly and without interruptions. Question/Answer 2: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the Chapman building auditorium? N/A Why or why not? Is there anything specifically about the acoustics in this space that you dislike and how does this affect your attitude about learning? Hypothesis 3: Students feel dissatisfied talking with administrators in the open cubicle spaces on the third floor in the Chapman Administration building because they feel they do not have enough privacy and other people nearby can hear what they are discussing. As a result, students use other forms of communication with the staff instead of having face-to-face interactions. Question/Answer 3: How does not being able have a face-to-face interaction with the staffs make you feel?  Do not really care about face to face interactions with staff in this building. Never have gone to speak with someone in the cubicles. Do you feel there is enough privacy when holding a conversation with someone in the cubicles? Why or why not?

32. Student Interview Questions (cont.)  Student 3: Yuki Sato, Graduate Student, Business Location: Chapman Building, first floor, student lounge Hypothesis 1: Students feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the lounge and study area in the Chapman building because of the amount of noise they experience while trying to study. As a result, students go to other locations where the noise level will be less bothersome. Question/Answer 1: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the lounge and study area in the Chapman building? Yes, is very comfortable with the acoustics in the lounge and study area. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2: Students who take classes in the Chapman building auditorium are satisfied with the sound quality they experience while learning because they can hear everything they are being taught clearly and without interruptions. Question/Answer 2: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the Chapman building auditorium? It has some acoustical issues. When the professors use a microphone it can echo a little so it I shard to hear the professor in the back of the classroom. Why or why not? Is there anything specifically about the acoustics in this space that you dislike and how does this affect your attitude about learning? Hypothesis 3: Students feel dissatisfied talking with administrators in the open cubicle spaces on the third floor in the Chapman Administration building because they feel they do not have enough privacy and other people nearby can hear what they are discussing. As a result, students use other forms of communication with the staff instead of having face-to-face interactions. Question/Answer 3: How does not being able have a face-to-face interaction with the staffs make you feel?  Do you feel there is enough privacy when holding a conversation with someone in the cubicles? Yes, there is enough privacy when he meets with his counselor. Why or why not? Student 4: Joan (last name not provided), Senior Liberal Studies Location: Chapman Administration Building, first floor, student lounge. Hypothesis 1: Students feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the lounge and study area in the Chapman building because of the amount of noise they experience while trying to study. As a result, students go to other locations where the noise level will be less bothersome. Question/Answer 1: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the lounge and study area in the Chapman building? Yes. Why or why not? Carpet absorbs sound well. Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2: Students who take classes in the Chapman building auditorium are satisfied with the sound quality they experience while learning because they can hear everything they are being taught clearly and without interruptions. Question/Answer 2: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the Chapman building auditorium? No. Why or why not? Cannot hear professors sometimes. Feels that microphone use should be mandatory. Is there anything specifically about the acoustics in this space that you dislike and how does this affect your attitude about learning? Hypothesis 3: Students feel dissatisfied talking with administrators in the open cubicle spaces on the third floor in the Chapman Administration building because they feel they do not have enough privacy and other people nearby can hear what they are discussing. As a result, students use other forms of communication with the staff instead of having face-to-face interactions. Question/Answer 3: How does not being able have a face-to-face interaction with the staffs make you feel?  N/A Do you feel there is enough privacy when holding a conversation with someone in the cubicles? Why or why not?

33. Student Interview Questions (cont.)  Student 5: Paola Meignen, Graduate student, Business Location: Chapman Administration Building, first floor, Java City. Hypothesis 1: Students feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the lounge and study area in the Chapman building because of the amount of noise they experience while trying to study. As a result, students go to other locations where the noise level will be less bothersome. Question/Answer 1: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the lounge and study area in the Chapman building? Iam satisfied with the acoustics in the study area, but in the lounge it can be loud at times. Why or why not? When talking near someone it can be difficult (to hear?) Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2: Students who take classes in the Chapman building auditorium are satisfied with the sound quality they experience while learning because they can hear everything they are being taught clearly and without interruptions. Question/Answer 2: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the Chapman building auditorium? Yes. Why or why not? Because there is not much noise and you can hear easily. Is there anything specifically about the acoustics in this space that you dislike and how does this affect your attitude about learning? Lectures are heard well and so the attitude of the user is not being affected. Hypothesis 3: Students feel dissatisfied talking with administrators in the open cubicle spaces on the third floor in the Chapman Administration building because they feel they do not have enough privacy and other people nearby can hear what they are discussing. As a result, students use other forms of communication with the staff instead of having face-to-face interactions. Question/Answer 3: How does not being able have a face-to-face interaction with the staffs make you feel?  N/A Do you feel there is enough privacy when holding a conversation with someone in the cubicles? Why or why not? Student 6: OrianaSequeda, Graduate student, Business Location: Chapman Administration Building, first floor, student lounge. Hypothesis 1:Students feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the lounge and study area in the Chapman building because of the amount of noise they experience while trying to study. As a result, students go to other locations where the noise level will be less bothersome. Question/Answer 1: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the lounge and study area in the Chapman building? Not inconvenienced. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2: Students who take classes in the Chapman building auditorium are satisfied with the sound quality they experience while learning because they can hear everything they are being taught clearly and without interruptions. Question/Answer 2:Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the Chapman building auditorium? N/A. Why or why not? Is there anything specifically about the acoustics in this space that you dislike and how does this affect your attitude about learning? Hypothesis 3: Students feel dissatisfied talking with administrators in the open cubicle spaces on the third floor in the Chapman Administration building because they feel they do not have enough privacy and other people nearby can hear what they are discussing. As a result, students use other forms of communication with the staff instead of having face-to-face interactions. Question/Answer 3: How does not being able have a face-to-face interaction with the staffs make you feel?  Do you feel there is enough privacy when holding a conversation with someone in the study area? No, privacy is an issue. Why or why not? You can hear each other’s conversations.

34. Student Interview Questions (cont.) Student 7: Juan Leal, Graduate student, Accounting Location: Chapman Administration Building, first floor, interview location not noted. Location of time spent in building varies. Hypothesis 1: Students feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the lounge and study area in the Chapman building because of the amount of noise they experience while trying to study. As a result, students go to other locations where the noise level will be less bothersome. Question/Answer 1: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the lounge and study area in the Chapman building? Have not noticed. Why or why not? Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Avoid the lobby when it is packed. Hypothesis 2: Students who take classes in the Chapman building auditorium are satisfied with the sound quality they experience while learning because they can hear everything they are being taught clearly and without interruptions. Question/Answer 2: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the Chapman building auditorium? No. Why or why not? At times it gets too loud/busy; don’t even bother reading at those times. Is there anything specifically about the acoustics in this space that you dislike and how does this affect your attitude about learning? Hypothesis 3: Students feel dissatisfied talking with administrators in the open cubicle spaces on the third floor in the Chapman Administration building because they feel they do not have enough privacy and other people nearby can hear what they are discussing. As a result, students use other forms of communication with the staff instead of having face-to-face interactions. Question/Answer 3: How does not being able have a face-to-face interaction with the staffs make you feel?  N/A. Do you feel there is enough privacy when holding a conversation with someone in the cubicles? Why or why not? Student 8: Jesse Gonzales, Graduate student, Accounting Location: Chapman Administration Building, first floor, interview location not stated. Time routinely spent in many different areas of the complex. Hypothesis 1: Students feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the lounge and study area in the Chapman building because of the amount of noise they experience while trying to study. As a result, students go to other locations where the noise level will be less bothersome. Question/Answer 1: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the lounge and study area in the Chapman building? Yes, they are fine. Why or why not? Relaxing and comfortable during the time he is there (5PM onward), expects it can get hectic during the day. Is there anything about the acoustics that impacts your behavior? Explain. Hypothesis 2: Students who take classes in the Chapman building auditorium are satisfied with the sound quality they experience while learning because they can hear everything they are being taught clearly and without interruptions. Question 2: Are you satisfied with the acoustics in the Chapman building auditorium? No, too big of an auditorium for a classroom. Why or why not? Can’t hear very well. Is there anything specifically about the acoustics in this space that you dislike and how does this affect your attitude about learning? Hypothesis 3: Students feel dissatisfied talking with administrators in the open cubicle spaces on the third floor in the Chapman Administration building because they feel they do not have enough privacy and other people nearby can hear what they are discussing. As a result, students use other forms of communication with the staff instead of having face-to-face interactions. Question/Answer 3: How does not being able have a face-to-face interaction with the staffs make you feel?  It does not matter. Do you feel there is enough privacy when holding a conversation with someone in the cubicles? What cubicles? Why or why not? Note Two additional Student interviews included as scans of interview worksheets

35. Tour Questions and Locations: • Site Observations • 1. What does the Chapman Building look like? • The facility looks like two interlocking “L”s from above. From within the space it has a spacious courtyard with linear fountains. There is a large staircase spilling into the center of the courtyard. • 2. What condition is the Chapman building in? • The building is in brand new condition as it is a new facility. It looks like it has not been used; not broken into. • 3. Is it functional? Explain. • The classrooms are functional in the sense that they are arranged well. The student lounge is also functional because it is set up in a manner that facilitates interaction and communication between students. • What is your experience of the space/system component? How do you feel? • In the classrooms, the acoustic design worked well because the chair upholstery and the acoustical wall paneling used absorbed the sound really well; you don’t have the annoying echo bouncing off the walls. In the student lounge however, the acoustic design was slightly on the poor side because there was little sound absorption. User Identification 1. Who uses the building? People who use the building consist of students, faculty, custodians, and maintenance crews. 2. Who is there on a daily basis? Who is there for shorter periods of time? Students, Faculty, and custodial are there on a daily basis. Professors are there for shorter periods of time as they teach a course and leave when they are finished. Which users interact with your assigned building systems and why? Which users do not and why? All users interact with the acoustical design because the noise level affects their concentration; this includes the maintenance staff. Users who are not affected are those who are hearing impaired because they’ve lost their auditory sense. How do they interact with the systems in the Chapman Building? They shouldn’t hear any loud noises because that would be a failure for acoustic design. To be productive the user should not be bothered by noise allowing them the opportunity to utilize the space as an educational facility.

36. Tour Questions and Locations: Site Observations • 1. What does the acoustical system look like? • A: The acoustical systems within the Chapman complex vary greatly based upon the spaces you are investigating, their location, intended function and occupancy. The different areas in the building worth of consideration are the office and cubicles, open common spaces (indoors and outdoors), classrooms, meeting rooms, study rooms, the Banquet room, the auditorium, and the adjacencies to mechanical and IT support spaces. Each of these areas have specific treatments in terms of the application of acoustical ceiling tiles/wall treatment, carpeting, wall insulation, distance from noisy mechanical systems, etc. • 2. What condition is the acoustical system in? • The building itself is in brand new condition. It was designed to last 75-100 years. As you walk though the building some upgrades/modifications which were made to the original acoustic systems are noticeable, such as the addition of white noise speakers and clear sound barriers adjacent to Administration Buildings open staircase between the second and third floor. These modifications have been made to improve the user experience and to eliminate some unanticipated sound issues we have encountered. • 3. Is the acoustical system functional? Explain. • The classrooms, auditorium and banquet hall are all functional as is. In general the student lounge area is functional as a place to socialize but may not be the best place to study during the daytime because the noise level can become elevated, particularly if music is being broadcast in this area. The administrative office space on the third floor adjacent to the service elevator is workable at present but may not be ideal for the long term. This area may warrant additional investigation for way to optimize the users acoustical experience. • In general, the Chapman Building complex is set up in a manner that facilitates interaction and communication between students and staff. • What is your impression of users experiences of the space/system component? • In the classrooms, the acoustic design works well because the carpeting, acoustic ceiling tile, and upholstery all work together to absorb unwanted background sounds really well; you don’t have the annoying echo bouncing off the walls. In the student lounge however, the acoustic design was slightly on the poor side because there was little sound absorption.

37. Tour Questions and Locations: User Identification 1. Who uses the building? People who use the building consist of students, faculty, administrators, custodians, and maintenance crews. It is worth noting that the Chapman Building administration is specific to the Graduate School of business, however faculty and students from different schools within FIU use the classrooms. 2. Who is there on a daily basis? Who is there for shorter periods of time? Students, administrators, and custodial staff are there on a daily basis. Faculty likely there for shorter periods of time, particularly if they teach for a different college within FIU. Many instructors teach a course and leave when they are finished. Which users interact with the acoustical building systems? Which users do not and why? All users interact with/are affected by the acoustical design because the noise level affects their concentration. Users who are not affected are likely those who are hearing impaired and whom have lost their auditory sense. In terms of direct interactions with the acoustical systems, typically it will be the maintenance staff that is involved. How do they interact with the systems? Maintenance and IT staff will need to interact with the acoustical systems when something (i.e. a speaker system) stops working and needs to be fixed. Another instance requiring their involvement is when equipment in the plenum behind the acoustical ceiling tiles need to be accessed, they are likely going to be the individuals removing/replacing the tiles and perhaps also addressing the system behind the tile.

38. Tour Questions for Guide: Building Specific Questions Describe the acoustic problems in the Chapman Buildings.A: Sound traveling within the third floor open office cubicles.A: Noise from the elevator and related (high volume traffic, i.e. catering staff) in the third floor office space. One issue is the that hard surface cubicles instead of fabric cubicles were used for aesthetic reasons, but the result was a reduction in eth sound absorption qualities of the units.A: Noise from traffic on hard surface of open staircase between the second and third floor of the Administration Building. A: (Cell phone) talking in the open lounge area at the base of the open staircase. Which spaces are the most effective from an acoustic perspective? Why? A: The Banquet hall and Auditorium because these spaces have acoustic ceiling tiles and wall treatments, slightly angled walls (to prevent the sound from ricocheting) and an elevated ceiling. These rooms also have sound systems designed for the size and shape of the space.A: The “theater” style class rooms. because they have acoustic ceiling tiles, carpeting and upholstered seats (which are arranged in a horseshoe shape for optimal communication). These rooms are also equipped with A/V equipment intended for use in recording/transmitting class sessions. 3. What features are you aware of that were specifically implemented have a particular affect on the acoustics of the Banquet room? Angled walls, acoustic ceiling tiles, soft furnishings, dividers allowing the size of the space to be adjusted based upon the specific group size. User Needs Questions How many students/faculty usually use the Academic Building? How does the number of people affect the noise level? Is it noticeable? A: The Chapman classrooms are used by many schools within FIU in addition to the School of Business so it is difficult to estimate how many people actually use the facility. A: The volume of people does affect the noise level, as was seen in the student lounge area. However, since class sizes and occupancy is limited, excessive noise in the classroom spaces is not a problem. They were designed acoustically and from a furnishing layout perspective to handle the maximum capacity allowed in the study and classrooms. What unique acoustical needs do students utilizing the Chapman Building complex have? How are these needs addressed? A: Graduate students attending the Chapman School of Business have the need to participate in live or prerecorded lectures/classes/dialogs with colleagues from other institutions and with potential collaborators on a global basis. Therefore the meeting rooms, study rooms and classrooms must be acoustically suited to A/V recording and transmission with maximum sound quality and minimal echoing and background noise. These rooms have acoustic ceiling tiles, carpeting and upholstered seats. The classrooms are also equipped with A/V equipment intended for use in recording/transmitting class sessions. Many of these rooms also have a foyer separating the room and the outside corridor. What changes have the staff requested in regards to acoustics? Have any changes been made? A: White noise machines have been installed in loud spaces. A water feature was added to the base of the second floor stair to mask staircase traffic and hallway chatter. Clear sound screens were hung from around the opening of second stairwell to deflect some of the noise from the adjacent offices spaces.