Physical ambiance in building science describes perception of the environment as various parameters related to human senses such as climate, lighting and sound. At the School of architecture of Laval University, learning to recognize, to plan, and to control the acoustical soundscape is part of the professional or research master's degrees specialized in ambiance. The courses include a theoretical aspect and a practical aspect which integrate the knowledge of an architectural design project, often related to a national or international contest. The students learn to consider and to manipulate the acoustical anticipated ambiance, simultaneously with the other physical environment they can influence through their conceptual process. They have to adjust their design to reach targets in thermal, lighting and acoustic quality within a collaborative mode with mechanical and civil engineering students. From the first steps of the building design, they analyze the implication of urban noise. Then they design the spaces of the building accordingly to the acoustical needs of each program, especially when rooms are acoustically sensitive. Finally, they use acoustic insulation parameters and data to think about the right assemblies. This presentation describes in detail how this design project works and points out its benefit to the practical formation of future architects.
