CREJ - Journal

MARCH 2015 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \

TRENDS

in Restaurant Design

at the party. Eventually, it gets to the point where everyone

is shouting and only a portion of what is said actually can

be understood. There goes the social exchange that allows

people to interact and connect.

The industrial look is definitely a trend in restaurant de-

sign. Maybe it is perceived as modern or flexible, but I believe

many decisions concerning the interior finishes have to do

with reduced costs and ease of maintenance. New business-

es are challenged with competition and I understand saving

money, but restaurants with hard concrete floors, open ceil-

ings with metal deck or painted gypsum board ceilings and

lots of glass most likely will be too loud and noisy. The noise

is the result of many of sound reflections that interfere with

speech intelligibility. Spaces with all hard surfaces definitely

would benefit from some acoustical finishes. The goal is not

to be quiet like libraries with background noise levels be-

tween 30 and 35 dBA, because patrons would notice a loss of

speech privacy. On the other hand, background noise levels

of 40 to 45 dBA increase speech privacy and help mask con-

versations between tables.

Reducing noise levels also benefits the restaurant staff.

They can better serve the customers, actually carry on a

friendly conversation and avoid incorrect orders because

they couldn’t hear. I do not like having to repeat my order

three times because the poor waiter or waitress is being

bombarded with noise from all sides.

Noise leads to stress and increases in heart rates and blood

pressure. Less noise is healthier. The restaurant industry is

stressful enough without the added self-induced noise.

There are many acoustical products available to match al-

most any interior concept and at a wide range of costs, so

there is no real excuse not to consider them. Turn down the

noise and I believe, with good food and service, you will

have loyal, long-term customers rather than being the pro-

verbial “flash in the pan.”

Good acoustics design benefits customers and staff.