Sustainable acoustic design: BREEAM Hea 05 and LEED
Acoustic comfort is part of a healthy, sustainable building. It affects how people concentrate, rest, learn and recover. It also interacts with almost every other sustainability decision: natural ventilation, exposed thermal mass, lightweight construction, reused materials. We integrate acoustic performance with your wider sustainability goals, and we support credit achievement under BREEAM, LEED and similar frameworks.
BREEAM Hea 05 Acoustic performance
In BREEAM, acoustic performance sits within the Health and Wellbeing category as Hea 05. Depending on the scheme and building type, credits typically relate to:
- Sound insulation between spaces
- Indoor ambient noise levels from external noise and building services
- Room acoustics, such as reverberation time in rooms where speech matters
Many routes require a suitably qualified acoustician to be appointed early, to define criteria and to confirm performance through testing or calculation. We set the criteria, advise the design team as the project develops and provide the evidence the BREEAM assessor needs. Please check the current scheme manual for your project, as requirements vary by scheme version and building type.
LEED and other frameworks
LEED includes an Acoustic Performance credit within Indoor Environmental Quality, covering similar themes: background noise from services, sound isolation, reverberation and, in some building types, sound reinforcement and masking. We provide the same integrated support for LEED projects, and for frameworks such as WELL where acoustic comfort is assessed.
Materials and the acoustic palette
Sustainable design and acoustic design are often aligned, but not always. Exposed concrete soffits help with thermal mass but reflect sound. Natural ventilation openings let noise in. Lightweight timber construction needs careful detailing for impact sound. We help teams find solutions that serve both aims, such as the right absorptive finishes in the right places, or attenuated ventilation paths. We also advise on material choices where recycled, bio-based or low-carbon options can meet acoustic needs.
Because Auris is independent, our product advice is not tied to any manufacturer. Our free Acoustic Vault brings together technical data from leading manufacturers so you can compare acoustic products side by side.
How we help
- Pre-assessment input. Which acoustic credits are realistic for the project, and what they will mean for the design.
- Criteria and design advice. Targets for each space and the build-ups and finishes to achieve them.
- Evidence. Calculations, design-stage reports and pre-completion testing for the assessor.
Related services
- Architectural acoustics
- Building services noise and vibration
- Education acoustics and healthcare acoustics
Discuss your certification targets
Tell us the scheme, the target rating and the stage you are at. Book a consultation, call 020 3949 1597 or email hello@auris-consultancy.com.