Case Study—Improving restaurant sound

It is no secret that high sound levels in restaurants are a familiar experience. There have been many papers and articles have been written about this subject over the last decade. As design trends have moved toward minimalism with clean lines and a blend of style and functionality acoustically absorbing materials like curtains, acoustic ceilings, and carpeting have been deleted and replaced by glass, steel, and concrete Sound reflected back into the space increases reverberation time leading to higher sound levels making communication between restaurant patrons and staff challenging. A large restaurant and entertainment venue, having received several complaints about the sound levels, engaged The Owens Corning Acoustic Research Center to evaluate the space before and after an acoustic treatment was installed. This study presents the changes to the sound levels in the restaurant that adding acoustic treatment to the space has made.