An overview on the research on applied acoustics in Politecnico di Torino, Arianna Astolfi

Research on applied acoustics at the Politecnico di Torino has been carried out in the framework of TEBE (Technology, Energy, Building Environment) group, which counts more than 50 people who work around the theme of building physics. In particular, research started more than twenty years ago on the important topic of classroom acoustics because of the obsolete requirements and the very poor acoustic conditions of school buildings in Italy. The focus was on the broader goal of good speech communication between teacher and pupils, which is the primary need in small and large classrooms of any order and grade. In fact, detrimental effects of bad acoustics affect speaking behavior of teachers and attention and learning processes of pupils. Research focused on the optimal room acoustics for both speaking and listening, which results have been included in the recent technical standard on classroom acoustics in Italy, recalled in a law on public buildings. Studies on the best extension and position of sound diffuse