Comparison of flexible and enclosed learning spaces from the perspective of teaching staff: experience, noise exposure and room acoustics

Final report of the Ääniope project

The project looked at the experiences of teaching staff in flexible and traditional closed learning environments, as well as the room acoustics and activity-time sound exposure of these learning environments. The report provides an overview of new or renovated schools in Finland. In total, 20 primary schools in southern Finland are covered, half of which have traditional and half flexible learning environments. The main results show that staff are more dissatisfied and room acoustics less compliant with Finnish room acoustics regulations in flexible than in closed learning environments. However, activity-time noise exposure is lower in open than in closed learning environments. The results have been discussed in terms of both the design of teaching spaces and the planning of activities.

The publication is part of the work of the Built Environment Research Group.
(PDF file, 1.691 Mt)

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