How to design in order to reduce the "Noise" that is destroying our connection to nature and each other
How can we design and specify interiors that support better acoustics? Why do we need to worry about sound levels at home, school, work or healthcare? Critically, our noise-saturated world is causing serious health problems. Modern human-generated noise is systematically destroying ecosystems, disrupting animal communication, and fundamentally altering our relationship with the environment. From whales struggling to communicate across oceans due to shipping noise to insects experiencing shortened mating cycles near roadways, the acoustic pollution is devastating. When you specify, choose wisely, every design decision you make will have a lasting impact on the people using the space for years and potentially generations to come
In a recent interview with Julian Treasure we get a stark warning about humanity's growing disconnection from the natural world - and it's happening through our ears.
Julian, renowned for his TED talks, reveals how modern human-generated noise is systematically destroying ecosystems, disrupting animal communication, and fundamentally altering our relationship with the environment. From whales struggling to communicate across oceans due to shipping noise to insects experiencing shortened mating cycles near roadways, the acoustic pollution is devastating.
"We've become numb to sound," Julian explains. Humans now spend 93% of their lives indoors, sealed away from natural soundscapes of wind, water, and birdsong - sounds our ancestors evolved alongside for hundreds of thousands of years.
The consequences extend far beyond environmental damage. Our inability to truly listen is fracturing human society. Julian argues that we've lost the art of compassionate listening, creating dangerous social echo chambers where people only hear opinions that confirm their existing beliefs.
But there's hope. Julian advocates for radical reimagining of our sonic environments. Simple interventions like playing nature sounds, training medical staff to be quieter, and teaching children listening skills could transform societal outcomes.
The solution, he believes, lies in embracing biophilia - designing every space with life's wellbeing in mind. Whether in healthcare, education, or urban planning, we must consider sound's impact.
Julian's most profound message is simple: listening is an act of respect - to nature, to each other, and to ourselves. In a world increasingly characterized by shouting and division, truly hearing one another might be our most powerful tool for understanding.
As he poignantly notes, "The sound of democracy is listening." By rediscovering our acoustic sensitivity, we might just heal our fractured planet - one sound wave at a time.
Listen to or watch the interview with Julia Treasure we did recently with him here: https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/podcast-journal-of-biophilic-design/julian-treasure
Listen to our previous podcast with Julian https://journalofbiophilicdesign.com/podcast-journal-of-biophilic-design/the-power-of-sound