Improving the residential environment in a children’s care home: Focusing on the sound environment

This study aims to explore the current situation of the sound environment in children’s care homes and the potential for improving residential environments within the facilities, through a case study conducted in one facility composed of seven units, each accommodating six to eight children. A survey revealed that many children in the facility exhibit atypical sensory characteristics, including those linked to developmental disorders, leading to sound problems in communal living spaces. Based on the findings, two initiatives were implemented as follows. In the shared space of a unit with sound interference problems, a small, acoustically treated space was set up to help children maintain privacy while sensing others' presence. Besides, in the private room for a child with attachment disorder, aggressive behavior, and hyperacusis, adjustments were made with the child’s positive involvement to create a calm-down space and reduce noise disturbances during sleep. In addition, opportunities were provided for facility staff to learn about methods of acoustic adjustments and their practical effects. Through these efforts, the study identified the problems of sound interference in communal living spaces, the need for easily implementable sound environment adjustments, and the potential for improving residential environments in children’s care homes.