Standard acoustic metrics are often used to define background noise criteria for music practice rooms, but these do not always align with how users perceive real-world mechanical noise. In a recent renovation project for a college music department, the design team explored user-centered approaches by developing auralizations of proposed HVAC systems, including various fan coil unit (FCU) settings and radiant panel configurations. Faculty members participated in structured listening sessions, with some engaging in live music practice during playback. Feedback on audibility, distraction, and acceptability helped the team assess not just sound levels, but the perceptual impact of tonal and transient elements. Subsequent discussion with the faculty members allowed the design team to gain insight into the observations and priorities of potential users. Critically, this process supported evaluation of the added value of more expensive system options by grounding cost comparisons in user experience rather than abstract performance metrics. The collaborative approach informed both system selection and budget decisions, establishing a framework for integrating perceptual response into background noise criteria. Key findings and design outcomes will be presented.
Levins et al. (Wed,) studied this question.