ICYMI: The Art and Science of Acoustics: Enhancing Space Functionality and Privacy

As both a science and an art, acoustics can make or break the way a space functions. In this ICYMI article-read episode based on "The Art and Science of Acoustics," by Armstrong's Kenneth Wood, published on the interiors+sources website on Oct. 16, 2025, we break down the fundamentals of how sound behaves in interiors, why ceilings and plenums matter more than many teams realize, and how designers can align performance goals with real occupant expectations. You’ll get a clear, designer-friendly tour of common acoustic metrics and a breakdown of how these numbers work together in the real world.

The episode also outlines the four levels of speech privacy (from confidential to none) and offers a simple, best-practice framework—Absorb, Block, Cover (ABCs)—including a “good/better/best” approach to specifying ceiling and wall systems. If you design workplaces, healthcare, education, or any environment where focus and privacy matter, this one’s a must-save.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The four ways sound moves through a space and why material choices drive outcomes

• Why ceilings are often the highest-leverage acoustic surface (and how plenums become sound highways)

• What NRC, CAC, STC, NIC, RT, PI, and SPC actually tell you (and what they don’t)

• How to set the right speech privacy target for open plan vs. enclosed rooms

• The ABC strategy (Absorb/Block/Cover) and a “good/better/best” spec mindset