A case study of different sound environments - a way to a more pleasant and more efficient work environment

Sa？etak The concept of soundscape was introduced to modify and complement noise assessment and the effect of different sound environments on people. Soundscape research poses a somewhat different problem than the study of noise as such, for it is a more complex phenomenon that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, sound environments study is not a study of noise but of the conditions and causes, the level of perception and the effects on people. Any sound environment will be subjected to a substantial number of sound sources that affect ordinary human activities, people's concentration and mood. Most people today spend a great deal of time at work, so it would be desirable that their work environment is acoustically pleasant in order to ensure effective work and satisfaction of the workers. The paper discusses four sound environments: kindergarten, expressway, industrial plant, and shopping centre. These four have been selected for they are generally perceived as stressful for the employees