Why have architects forgotten about acoustics? A good point, raised via TED.

Are you sick of coming away from a night's dining with a croaky voice from trying to hear yourself over the "ambient noise"? Or getting virtually nothing from a talk - because you really couldn't hear what the speaker was saying?

We seem to have forgotten about how to include acoustic considerations in building design in recent years. Aided and abetted by a tendency for interior design towards hard reflective surfaces.

While it is understandable that many public places need surfaces that are easy to clean and keep that way (homes too!), this makes it all the more important that designers consider mitigating measures such as wall furnishings, and ceiling treatments that absorb rather than reflect sound.

It's something I've been particularly aware of as a board member for the Belconnen Arts Centre. The BAC has a wonderful art space, but as a public area the acoustics are simply woeful. It works for unamplified acoustic music performances, but that's it. As we at the BAC begin the design process for the completing stage of the centre, I asked the consultants to integrate remedial acoustic works for the existing building into the new works. And of course, given that performing arts will be the primary focus of the new works, acoustics will be foremost in our minds for that too. But we are faced with scare public funds being spent to correct something that should have been considered in the first instance.

On TED.com, Julian Treasure has given this important talk about acoustics in building design - discussing health effects, hospital and school design, and touching on urban space design too. Worth your 10 minutes...