Acoustic comfort in university environments: A literature review

Acoustic comfort in university environments is crucial for speech communication, learning, concentration, and inclusive participation. This systematic review examines acoustic conditions across diverse university campus spaces with different functional requirements. A structured evidence matrix was used to collect bibliographic data, spatial characteristics, room typologies, objective acoustic parameters, and subjective comfort indicators. The final dataset comprised 34 studies published between 2000 and 2026, covering 189 rooms. Research output increased significantly after 2018, with classrooms and lecture halls representing the most investigated settings. Reverberation time and background noise were the most frequently reported parameters, appearing in 74% and 68% of studies, respectively, whereas speech intelligibility was assessed less consistently. Longer reverberation times were associated with lower STI values, while larger room volumes and seating capacities generally corresponded to greater reverberation. Subjective evaluations appeared in 44.1% of studies and linked higher comfort to lower noise and reverberation, and better speech intelligibility across university settings.