Sonic Harmony
Where Architecture Meets Acoustics
Sponsored by Armstrong World Industries | Presented by Julian Tresure
This session explores the vital role of sound in shaping healthy, sustainable, and inspiring built environments. Drawing on research in indoor environmental quality (IEQ), behavioral science, and biophilic design, it examines how acoustic design influences human wellbeing, productivity, and social connection. Participants will discover how to integrate acoustics seamlessly with aesthetics, using evidence-based strategies and real-world case studies to create spaces that are not only visually compelling but also sonically supportive.
Photo courtesy of Armstrong World Industries
The Wharton School - Jon M. Huntsman Hall
Armstrong World Industries is a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative commercial ceiling and wall systems. At home, at work, in health-care facilities, classrooms, stores, and restaurants, Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions offer interior options that help
create healthy, sustainable spaces that protect people and cultivate well-being and comfort so they can be at their best.
Armstrong is committed to developing new and sustainable ceiling solutions, with design and performance possibilities that empower its customers to create beautiful, high-performance residential and commercial buildings. Armstrong continues to grow and prosper for the benefit of all its stakeholders.
armstrongceilings.com/commercial
Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in September 2025
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Explain indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and how acoustics interact with lighting, air quality, and thermal comfort to influence occupant well-being.
- Describe the effects of sound on human health and behavior, including reduced productivity, impaired learning, diminished healing, and increased stress.
- Recognize the multisensory nature of design, understanding how sight, sound, and other senses shape architectural experiences.
- Apply principles of biophilic design, emphasizing the restorative role of natural soundscapes in built environments.
- Evaluate evidence-based acoustic design strategies for their impact on sustainability, aesthetics, and occupantwell-being across various settings.
