from the series "Acoustics, ceilings and wall coverings - trends 2025"
Pool acoustics is one of the key design issues that has a major impact on the comfort of users of "wet" facilities. Well-designed acoustic solutions make it possible to significantly improve the quality of sound from speakers, eliminate unwanted effects such as echoes and noise, and increase comfort during use of the facility. This article will present a brief analysis of the use of Sonaspray acoustic plaster on the ceiling and part of the walls, and Soundblox acoustic blocks on the walls of the Jonfosse swimming pool in Belgium.
Acoustic problems of swimming pools
Swimming pool rooms are spaces with many acoustic challenges. In such facilities, due to the specific architecture, problems of reverberation, sound reflection and high noise levels are common. Pool water, hard surfaces (such as tiles, concrete and glass) and large ceiling and wall surfaces can lead to extremely intense sound reflections. In addition, the presence of many people at one time, sometimes noise generated by water filtration systems, mechanical equipment and smaller or larger conversations cause a significant increase in noise levels, which reduces acoustic comfort in the space.
The phenomenon of reverberation in such spaces is particularly detrimental, as it impedes communication and degrades sound quality during activity. For this reason, designing appropriate acoustics in a swimming pool is essential to improve acoustic comfort and provide the right conditions for using the facility.
Acoustics at the Jonfosse swimming pool in Belgium - using Sonaspray acoustic plaster and Soundblox acoustic blocks
© Baukustik
Sonaspray acoustic plaster - properties and application
Sonaspray acoustic plaster is one of the most popular materials used in improving the acoustics of large area interiors, including those such as swimming pools. It is an economical and environmentally friendly material that combines sound-absorbing properties with aesthetics. Sonaspray is a cellulose-based product that, when applied to surfaces, becomes an effective barrier to acoustic waves that lowers their energy. Thanks to its porous structure, the material is effective mainly in attenuating high and mid-frequency sounds, and also minimizes the effect of sound reflection in the room.
Using the Jonfosse pool as an example, Sonaspray is primarily used on ceilings and on parts of the walls that are inaccessible to the user. The pool ceiling, which is one of the largest surfaces in the room, is an area that generates particularly strong reverberation. By applying Sonaspray acoustic plaster to the ceiling, the reverberation time can be significantly reduced and the acoustic comfort of users can be improved, increasing speech intelligibility and DSO intelligibility.
It can be used both in newly built facilities and as part of the acoustic renovation of existing pools. Its flexibility in application allows it to fit easily into different types of ceilings and roof structures. It is also sometimes performed on inaccessible sections of walls, as in this case. Thanks to its wide range of colors and the ability to personalize the surface, Sonaspray can also be a decorative element in a swimming pool, adding to the design of the space.
Acoustics at the Jonfosse swimming pool in Belgium - using Sonaspray acoustic plaster and Soundblox acoustic blocks
© Baukustik
Soundblox acoustic blocks - properties and role in improving acoustics
Soundblox acoustic blocks are a very useful construction element that can significantly improve acoustics in a swimming pool without using additional wall solutions. These are specially designed blocks made of concrete or Carbstone ® (CO₂-absorbing), which, thanks to their chambers, have high sound absorption and the ability to reduce noise and reverberation in rooms.
In swimming pools, these blocks are used as interior walls or pre-walls. Thanks to their simple construction and resistance to impact and moisture, any sports or industrial spaces are adapted with them very easily. Pool walls, especially in areas where sound reflections can be the strongest, are places that require this type of product.
Soundblox acoustic blocks are a solution that can be adapted to the specifics of a given pool, both in terms of dimensions, the specific location of the blocks (only a section of the wall can be made of them) and aesthetics. The blocks are available in different formats, they can be plastered, painted, graffiti can be made on them, and in the case of blocks with mineral wool filling - you can choose the color of the veil (the visible part of the gap filling). Their installation is not much different from masonry of other concrete blocks, which makes them a popular choice in many spaces, including representative spaces.
Acoustics at the Jonfosse swimming pool in Belgium - using Sonaspray acoustic plaster and Soundblox acoustic blocks
© Baukustik
Combination of Sonaspray acoustic plaster and Soundblox acoustic blocks - pool acoustics summary
Modern acoustic solutions require a comprehensive approach that combines different materials with different properties. At the Jonfosse swimming pool, the combination of Sonaspray acoustic plaster on the ceiling and part of the walls with Soundblox acoustic blocks on the walls provides a highly effective method of reducing reverberation and noise in multiple planes. We achieve a global reduction in reverberation time, but also benefit from the use of sound absorbing materials close to the user. The benefits are as follows:
First, the reduction in reverberation and noise improves the sound quality in the facility, which enables better communication between users and gives greater comfort when using the pool during classes or swimming competitions.
Second, the reduction of noise generated by mechanical equipment makes the space more user-friendly.
In addition, improved acoustics affect the overall quality of the pool atmosphere. Users can enjoy more peace and quiet, which promotes relaxation and rest.
Finally, proper acoustics are also important from a safety standpoint, as they enable lifeguards to better communicate with people in the pool and the audible warning system to be better understood.
Acoustics at the Jonfosse swimming pool in Belgium - using Sonaspray acoustic plaster and Soundblox acoustic blocks
© Baukustik
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