A primer on low-carbon design in architectural acoustics using a case study of residential floors

Designers are increasingly tasked to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. While core disciplines (e.g., mechanical and structural) are determining sustainable design strategies, understanding the environmental impacts of architectural acoustics is nascent. Yet, acoustic design decisions provide opportunities to minimize building carbon emissions while ensuring suitable acoustic performance. In response, this paper first motivates the need for design synergies between architectural acoustics and sustainability practices. Second, this paper educates and equips acousticians to participate in sustainable design decisions by demonstrating a life cycle assessment framework to inform the selection of low-carbon floor-ceiling assemblies in residential buildings while satisfying sound isolation requirements.