Browsing by Author "Şaher, K."

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Acoustic Assessment of Shared Office Spaces: A Case Based Study
(Society of Acoustics, 2025) Kelle, D.; Şaher, K.; Ustundag Ganic, O.
This study investigates the acoustic conditions in shared flex-desk office spaces, where user requirements differ from those in traditional permanent open-plan offices. Unlike conventional office environments, shared workspaces accommodate a diverse and dynamic user base, necessitating greater flexibility in acoustic and spatial design. To assess the acoustic environment and user preferences, both subjective and objective data were collected. Subjective data was obtained through questionnaire, capturing occupants’ perceptions of noise levels, and overall comfort. Objective measurements were conducted to show activity noise levels during a typical workday. The data collected was then compared with assessment parameters defined in standard ISO 22955:2021, to identify discrepancies in user needs and expectations. The findings indicate that shared desk open-plan offices exhibit higher ambient noise levels than traditional open-plan offices, with intelligible speech being the most dominant source of disturbance. While perceived noise levels strongly correlated with disturbance, noise disturbance was not significantly linked to work load related factors, suggesting user adaptation or task-specific resilience. These results highlight the need to reassess conventional acoustic standards, such as ISO 22955:2021, to better accommodate the unique dynamics of shared workspaces. Specifically, shared workspace users show greater flexibility in noise levels and demands in spatial configurations, promoting the networking and transition of knowledge and collaborative nature of these environments. This study underscores the limitations of applying traditional office acoustic standards to shared environments and suggests the necessity for revised criteria that better reflect the unique demands of these spaces. © Copyright 2012 - 2025 IIAV - All Rights Reserved.
Exploring Urban Spaces Through Virtual Soundwalk: Derinkuyu Underground City
(Society of Acoustics, 2025) Nas, S.; Şaher, K.; Aytıs, S.; Mıhçı, G.
Soundscape research plays a vital role in understanding historical environments by complementing visual interpretation and enhancing spatial perception. This study is part of a doctoral research which focuses on uncovering the acoustic identity and soundscape of Derinkuyu Underground City, a unique subterranean heritage site in Cappadocia, Turkey. Adapting the framework of ISO/TS 12913-2:2018, the research integrates soundscape methodologies with virtual reality (VR) to reconstruct the auditory experience of the site. Virtual soundwalk as an innovative method is significant in defining soundscapes and uncovering their historical narratives. This particular study aims to adapt and refine the virtual soundwalk methodology outlined in ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 to describe the soundscape of Derinkuyu Underground City, an urban-scale interior environment. Key interior typologies were identified based on function, scale, and spatial hierarchy, forming a structured VR soundwalk that guides participants through different levels of the city, from the entrance to the deepest, seventh level. The chosen typologies represent the entirety of the city's levels and spaces. The models integrate distinctive sound sources specific to each interior space, establishing a taxonomy and enriching these environments with sound scenarios. The scenarios were auralized using ODEON software and integrated into the virtual reality models. Auralized sound scenarios, developed using ODEON software, were embedded into 3D VR models to simulate the acoustic conditions of the underground spaces. At designated listening points, participants experience immersive reconstructions of historical soundscapes, reflecting the functional and social dynamics of the site. This study underscores the significance of soundscape in interpreting cultural heritage and highlights the potential of VR technology in preserving and experiencing historical acoustic environments. By refining virtual soundwalk methodologies, it contributes to advancing soundscape research and its applications in heritage conservation. © Copyright 2012 - 2025 IIAV - All Rights Reserved.
Insights From the ‘Acoustics Workshop in Educational Buildings’ by Turkish Acoustical Society
(Societe Francaise d'Acoustique, 2024) Şaher, K.; Sentop-Dumen, A.; Sezgin, H.; Nas, S.; Kelle, D.
This paper focuses on "Acoustics Workshop in Educational Buildings" organized by the Turkish Acoustical Society as part of International Noise Awareness Day 2023 Activities. The workshop brought together 34 participants, including designers, acoustic experts, teachers, and health and occupational safety professionals. Through interdisciplinary discussions, participants identified and prioritized acoustic problems, expectations and requirements for educational buildings, focusing on improving the quality of education. The workshop unfolded in two stages: firstly, participants were grouped by profession to identify primary acoustic challenges. Subsequently, multi-disciplinary teams collaboratively developed mitigation strategies to address these challenges. The results revealed profession-specific insights into main acoustic issues and proposed actionable solutions. This paper specifically provides insights into the use of qualitative content analysis to have a deeper understanding of different professions, people's experiences, behavior and priorities in relation to acoustics in school. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Reflections on the International Noise Awareness Day 2023 Activities
(Society of Acoustics, 2024) Şaher, K.; Dümen, A.Ş.; Sezgin, H.; Nas, S.; Kelle, D.; Demiral, Y.
This paper presents an overview of the experiences and outcomes derived from the activities organized for International Noise Awareness Day 2023 in Turkey with the theme “Keep your hearing, keep your health”. Collaboratively organized by Turkish Acoustical Society, and Occupational Hygienists Society, the initiatives aimed to explore the role of sound in educational facilities, with a particular focus on the perspectives of students and teachers. These activities were a student drawing competition, an online International Symposium, a research project titled "Assessment of Acoustic Conditions in Schools and Health Effects on School," and an "Acoustics Workshop in Educational Buildings" conducted at the Izmir BLX Acoustics Laboratory. Drawing from our experiences and findings, we highlight the significance of actively involving researchers, acoustic consultants, occupational hygienists, teachers, students, and designers in such endeavours. Our findings indicate that inclusive approaches not only boost public engagement but also enhance awareness of behavioural, emotional, educational, administrative and design aspects related to sound. By promoting collaboration and participation in knowledge exchange, such activities significantly improve understanding of sound-related issues in schools. © 2024 Proceedings of the International Congress on Sound and Vibration. All rights reserved.
Citation - Scopus: 2
Towards New Acoustic Policies in the 'new Normal' of the Covid-19 Pandemic
(International Commission for Acoustics (ICA), 2022) Şentop Dümen, A.; Şaher, K.; Kurra, S.
In 2020, Turkish Acoustical Society conducted a survey to measure the pandemic's impact on acoustic evaluation of residential buildings. 1053 people participated in this survey and answered to the questions on their noise annoyances before and during the Covid-19. Results indicated an increased acoustical comfort during the lock-downs due to the decreased environmental noise, but also highlighted the importance of interior noises (from neighbouring dwellings and from one's own dwelling). Other studies from all over the world reported similar results for the first wave of the pandemics. After two years of experience, the question of how user behaviour, acoustical perception and expectance have changed is yet to be answered in order to develop correct strategies and strengthen the acoustical policies for accomplishing sustainable cities. This paper introduces the results of the 2020 study and gives an analysis of the current literature on (1) acoustic perception during the pandemics, (2) working from home and its persistency, and (3) changed user habits in dwellings and in cities. The acoustical requirements in the era of 'new normal' and policy implications are discussed. © ICA 2022.All rights reserved