Investigating Soundscape as a Critical Design Factor in Public Interiors

Designing for appropriate public interior environments demands a comprehensive understanding of user experiences, particularly in where people inhabit the same space for extended periods, such as restaurants, cafes, libraries, and communal workspaces. In these settings, acoustic quality / acoustic performance is a critical component for user comfort.  The way the sound interacts with the space becomes a defining parameter that shapes usability, behaviour, communication, and the overall spatial experience.

As everyday soundscapes grow increasingly complex, the relationship between design decisions and acoustic experience becomes more critical. A user centred approach to acoustic design therefore requires an integrated understanding of both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the acoustics and the perceived reasons behind how people interpret and respond implement to them in the finished building.

We are seeking proposals for projects for either PhD or MPhil that investigate the acoustic performance of architectural spaces through the application of a mixed method approach.

Proposals may include (but are not limited to) studies that compare acoustic conditions in public interiors with patterns of behaviour, wellbeing, or social interaction.

The aim of the research is to demonstrate that acoustics and hence the resulting soundscape as fundamental design factors, to inform future design decisions and enhance the lived experience of users in shared environments.

Eligibility

Domestic, International, PhD and Masters candidates

Scholarship

Anita Lawerence Scholarship - $39,206 per annum (2026 rate), $5,000 per annum research allowance

PhD 3.5 years, Masters 1.5 years

How to apply

Express your interest in this project by emailing d.dincer@unsw.edu.au at unsw.edu.au. Include a copy of your CV and your academic transcript(s).