---
_id: '14069'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: As automation is progressively more present in buildings, it is important
    to understand its impact on people’s experience of urban environments. This case
    study investigated how one automated shading system with motorized venetian blinds
    affects sound perception of the acoustic environment in the immediate outdoor
    surroundings of a university campus building in Detmold, Germany. Procedures of
    ISO 12913 series for soundscape research were followed to conduct acoustic measurements
    and derive psychoacoustic indicators. Additionally, soundwalks involving 41 participants
    and a laboratory study using immersive virtual reality (VR) with 34 participants
    were conducted to assess how individuals perceive the acoustic environment. The
    results show that the operation of automated blinds increases sound levels above
    reference thresholds at short distances, and has a consistent effect on the soundscape,
    shifting it from pleasant and calm to annoying and chaotic. These trends are notable
    in both on-site and laboratory data. Additionally, when participants evaluated
    the soundscape in direct visual connection with the operating façade shading system,
    they perceived the sounds to be less chaotic than when they were not seeing the
    façade. These findings highlight that automated buildings and façades are active
    sound sources capable of influencing environmental quality through acoustic and
    non-acoustic effects; therefore, their influence on the soundscape should be considered
    within performance assessments, smart/automation policy, and sustainability frameworks.
article_number: '111498'
author:
- first_name: Alvaro
  full_name: Balderrama, Alvaro
  id: '74171'
  last_name: Balderrama
  orcid: 0000-0002-4118-2838
- first_name: Alessandra
  full_name: Luna-Navarro, Alessandra
  last_name: Luna-Navarro
- first_name: Jian
  full_name: Kang, Jian
  last_name: Kang
- first_name: Hussam
  full_name: Al Basha, Hussam
  last_name: Al Basha
- first_name: Eric
  full_name: Verschuur, Eric
  last_name: Verschuur
- first_name: Daniel
  full_name: Arztmann, Daniel
  id: '58805'
  last_name: Arztmann
- first_name: Ulrich
  full_name: Knaack, Ulrich
  id: '27160'
  last_name: Knaack
citation:
  ama: Balderrama A, Luna-Navarro A, Kang J, et al. Influence of automated façades
    on the soundscape outside of buildings. <i>Applied Acoustics</i>. 2026;254. doi:<a
    href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498">10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498</a>
  apa: Balderrama, A., Luna-Navarro, A., Kang, J., Al Basha, H., Verschuur, E., Arztmann,
    D., &#38; Knaack, U. (2026). Influence of automated façades on the soundscape
    outside of buildings. <i>Applied Acoustics</i>, <i>254</i>, Article 111498. <a
    href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498</a>
  bjps: <b>Balderrama A <i>et al.</i></b> (2026) Influence of Automated Façades on
    the Soundscape Outside of Buildings. <i>Applied Acoustics</i> <b>254</b>.
  chicago: Balderrama, Alvaro, Alessandra Luna-Navarro, Jian Kang, Hussam Al Basha,
    Eric Verschuur, Daniel Arztmann, and Ulrich Knaack. “Influence of Automated Façades
    on the Soundscape Outside of Buildings.” <i>Applied Acoustics</i> 254 (2026).
    <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498</a>.
  chicago-de: Balderrama, Alvaro, Alessandra Luna-Navarro, Jian Kang, Hussam Al Basha,
    Eric Verschuur, Daniel Arztmann und Ulrich Knaack. 2026. Influence of automated
    façades on the soundscape outside of buildings. <i>Applied Acoustics</i> 254.
    doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498">10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498</a>,
    .
  din1505-2-1: '<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Balderrama, Alvaro</span> ;
    <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Luna-Navarro, Alessandra</span> ; <span
    style="font-variant:small-caps;">Kang, Jian</span> ; <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Al
    Basha, Hussam</span> ; <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Verschuur, Eric</span>
    ; <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Arztmann, Daniel</span> ; <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Knaack,
    Ulrich</span>: Influence of automated façades on the soundscape outside of buildings.
    In: <i>Applied Acoustics</i> Bd. 254. Amsterdam [u.a.], Elsevier  (2026)'
  havard: A. Balderrama, A. Luna-Navarro, J. Kang, H. Al Basha, E. Verschuur, D. Arztmann,
    U. Knaack, Influence of automated façades on the soundscape outside of buildings,
    Applied Acoustics. 254 (2026).
  ieee: 'A. Balderrama <i>et al.</i>, “Influence of automated façades on the soundscape
    outside of buildings,” <i>Applied Acoustics</i>, vol. 254, Art. no. 111498, 2026,
    doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498">10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498</a>.'
  mla: Balderrama, Alvaro, et al. “Influence of Automated Façades on the Soundscape
    Outside of Buildings.” <i>Applied Acoustics</i>, vol. 254, 111498, 2026, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498</a>.
  short: A. Balderrama, A. Luna-Navarro, J. Kang, H. Al Basha, E. Verschuur, D. Arztmann,
    U. Knaack, Applied Acoustics 254 (2026).
  ufg: '<b>Balderrama, Alvaro u. a.</b>: Influence of automated façades on the soundscape
    outside of buildings, in: <i>Applied Acoustics</i> 254 (2026).'
  van: Balderrama A, Luna-Navarro A, Kang J, Al Basha H, Verschuur E, Arztmann D,
    et al. Influence of automated façades on the soundscape outside of buildings.
    Applied Acoustics. 2026;254.
date_created: 2026-09-30T10:13:50Z
date_updated: 2026-10-01T14:28:02Z
department:
- _id: DEP1634
doi: 10.1016/j.apacoust.2026.111498
intvolume: '       254'
keyword:
- Urban
- Soundscape
- Acoustic
- Perception
- Comfort
- Sustainability
language:
- iso: eng
place: Amsterdam [u.a.]
publication: Applied Acoustics
publication_identifier:
  eissn:
  - 1872-910X
  issn:
  - 0003-682X
publication_status: published
publisher: 'Elsevier '
quality_controlled: '1'
status: public
title: Influence of automated façades on the soundscape outside of buildings
type: scientific_journal_article
user_id: '83781'
volume: 254
year: '2026'
...
---
_id: '8881'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: "Façades cover a significant amount of surfaces in cities and are in constant
    interaction with the acoustic environment. Noise pollution is one of the most
    concerning burdens for public health and wellbeing; however, façade acoustic performance
    is generally not considered in outdoor spaces, in contrast to indoor spaces. This
    study presents a systematic literature review examining 40 peer-reviewed papers
    regarding the effects of façades on the urban acoustic environment and the soundscape.
    Façades affect sound pressure levels and reverberation time in urban spaces and
    can affect people’s perception of the acoustic environment. The effects are classified
    into three groups: Effects of façades on the urban acoustic environment, including
    sound-reflecting, sound-absorbing and sound-producing effects; Effects of façades
    on the urban soundscape, including auditory and non-auditory effects; Effects
    of the context on the acoustic environment around façades, including boundary
    effects and atmospheric effects.\r\n"
article_number: '9670'
author:
- first_name: Alvaro
  full_name: Balderrama, Alvaro
  id: '74171'
  last_name: Balderrama
  orcid: 0000-0002-4118-2838
- first_name: Jian
  full_name: Kang, Jian
  last_name: Kang
- first_name: Alejandro
  full_name: Prieto, Alejandro
  last_name: Prieto
- first_name: Alessandra
  full_name: Luna-Navarro, Alessandra
  last_name: Luna-Navarro
- first_name: Daniel
  full_name: Arztmann, Daniel
  id: '58805'
  last_name: Arztmann
- first_name: Ulrich
  full_name: Knaack, Ulrich
  id: '27160'
  last_name: Knaack
citation:
  ama: 'Balderrama A, Kang J, Prieto A, Luna-Navarro A, Arztmann D, Knaack U. Effects
    of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment and Soundscape: A Systematic Review.
    <i>Sustainability / Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)</i>.
    2022;15(14). doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670">https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670</a>'
  apa: 'Balderrama, A., Kang, J., Prieto, A., Luna-Navarro, A., Arztmann, D., &#38;
    Knaack, U. (2022). Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment and Soundscape:
    A Systematic Review. <i>Sustainability / Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing
    Institute (MDPI)</i>, <i>15</i>(14), Article 9670. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670">https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670</a>'
  bjps: '<b>Balderrama A <i>et al.</i></b> (2022) Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic
    Environment and Soundscape: A Systematic Review. <i>Sustainability / Multidisciplinary
    Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)</i> <b>15</b>.'
  chicago: 'Balderrama, Alvaro, Jian Kang, Alejandro Prieto, Alessandra Luna-Navarro,
    Daniel Arztmann, and Ulrich Knaack. “Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment
    and Soundscape: A Systematic Review.” <i>Sustainability / Multidisciplinary Digital
    Publishing Institute (MDPI)</i> 15, no. 14 (2022). <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670">https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670</a>.'
  chicago-de: 'Balderrama, Alvaro, Jian Kang, Alejandro Prieto, Alessandra Luna-Navarro,
    Daniel Arztmann und Ulrich Knaack. 2022. Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic
    Environment and Soundscape: A Systematic Review. <i>Sustainability / Multidisciplinary
    Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)</i> 15, Nr. 14. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670">https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670</a>,
    .'
  din1505-2-1: '<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Balderrama, Alvaro</span> ;
    <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Kang, Jian</span> ; <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Prieto,
    Alejandro</span> ; <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Luna-Navarro, Alessandra</span>
    ; <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Arztmann, Daniel</span> ; <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">Knaack,
    Ulrich</span>: Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment and Soundscape:
    A Systematic Review. In: <i>Sustainability / Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing
    Institute (MDPI)</i> Bd. 15. Basel, mdpi (2022), Nr. 14'
  havard: 'A. Balderrama, J. Kang, A. Prieto, A. Luna-Navarro, D. Arztmann, U. Knaack,
    Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment and Soundscape: A Systematic
    Review, Sustainability / Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI).
    15 (2022).'
  ieee: 'A. Balderrama, J. Kang, A. Prieto, A. Luna-Navarro, D. Arztmann, and U. Knaack,
    “Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment and Soundscape: A Systematic
    Review,” <i>Sustainability / Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)</i>,
    vol. 15, no. 14, Art. no. 9670, 2022, doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670">https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670</a>.'
  mla: 'Balderrama, Alvaro, et al. “Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment
    and Soundscape: A Systematic Review.” <i>Sustainability / Multidisciplinary Digital
    Publishing Institute (MDPI)</i>, vol. 15, no. 14, 9670, 2022, <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670">https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670</a>.'
  short: A. Balderrama, J. Kang, A. Prieto, A. Luna-Navarro, D. Arztmann, U. Knaack,
    Sustainability / Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) 15 (2022).
  ufg: '<b>Balderrama, Alvaro u. a.</b>: Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment
    and Soundscape: A Systematic Review, in: <i>Sustainability / Multidisciplinary
    Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)</i> 15 (2022), H. 14.'
  van: 'Balderrama A, Kang J, Prieto A, Luna-Navarro A, Arztmann D, Knaack U. Effects
    of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment and Soundscape: A Systematic Review.
    Sustainability / Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). 2022;15(14).'
date_created: 2022-09-02T13:09:59Z
date_updated: 2024-08-06T12:04:03Z
department:
- _id: DEP1034
doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159670
intvolume: '        15'
issue: '14'
keyword:
- façade
- building envelope
- acoustics
- acoustic environment
- soundscape
- urban comfort
language:
- iso: eng
place: Basel
publication: Sustainability / Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
publication_identifier:
  issn:
  - '2071-1050 '
publication_status: published
publisher: mdpi
quality_controlled: '1'
status: public
title: 'Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment and Soundscape: A Systematic
  Review'
type: scientific_journal_article
user_id: '83781'
volume: 15
year: '2022'
...