Sound advice: associations between building design attributes and residents’ noise annoyance

Higher residential densities are promoted to sustainably meet housing targets; however, the location, built form and spatial arrangements of these developments may increase residents’ exposure to noise. Noise annoyance is linked to a range of health issues and contributes substantially to the health burden from environmental noise. Therefore, managing noise in apartments is increasingly important. Australian state-level apartment design policies provide guidance for the development and siting of buildings, acknowledging that some settings may expose residents to higher levels of noise. This study examined associations between objectively measured apartment and building design features and residents’ noise annoyance from internal and external sources among 1112 apartment dwellers across 110 complexes in three Australian capital cities using mixed-effects linear regression models. Design features included floor level, apartment layout and orientation, proximity to communal open spaces and circulation spaces, façade exposure, separation from neighbouring buildings and the presence of mixed-use functions. Noise annoyance was shaped by the spatial relationship between dwellings and noise sources. Vertical position in the building, proximity to internal circulation spaces, and the degree of façade exposure to the surrounding environment were associated with differences in noise annoyance. These findings highlight the importance of acoustic considerations in apartment design policy.