Green Buildings Can Be Noisy

For example, many strategies for reducing waste and allowing natural sunlight to permeate a building are accomplished by fewer walls and barriers, which can result in larger, noisier spaces.

Natural ventilation has a similar effect - Jana Madsen writes that improved ventilation "wreaks havoc on acoustics."

The study concludes that not only are green building practices weak on acoustics, but so are the regulations and guidelines developed to encourage sustainable buildings.