How Acoustic Design Evolves Coexistence in Multifamily Housing
How Acoustic Design Evolves Coexistence in Multifamily Housing
If you’ve ever lived in an apartment building or condominium, you’ve probably experienced this: even the thickest walls don’t always block the loud laughter of the neighbors, footsteps from above, or, in the worst case, a vacuum cleaner at seven in the morning. Is it inevitable to give up tranquility and sound privacy in shared housing? The answer is increasingly a firm no. With the rise of accessible acoustic solutions, innovative materials, and a new awareness of the value of auditory comfort, acoustic design has become key in improving urban quality of life.
In this article, I explore how applied acoustics can transform coexistence in multifamily housing and why designers, owners, and investors should integrate acoustic criteria from the first sketches through every stage of the building’s life cycle. I share real experiences, research, practical tips, and innovative trends so that each space not only sounds good but also makes a real difference in well-being and property value.
The Challenge of Noise and Privacy in Urban Housing
Life in multifamily buildings has many advantages (location, access to services, community...). But acoustic privacy rarely tops the list of virtues. According to a report by the European Environment Agency, over 113 million people in Europe are exposed daily to noise levels above 55 decibels, the limit recommended by the World Health Organization to preserve health and well-being.
Noise doesn’t just cause discomfort: it affects sleep, concentration, personal relationships, and can lead to chronic stress. In Latin American countries, where vertical growth and urban density have rapidly increased over the last decade, it is common for tenants and owners to consider acoustics one of the main deciding factors when renting or buying a home.
In fact, the International WELL Building Institute considers acoustic comfort a fundamental element of well-being in habitable spaces.
Key Points of Acoustic Design in Collective Housing
Identify the source and type of noise
Select materials and insulation techniques according to the function of the space
Integrate acoustic treatment during the design phase, not just when resolving conflicts
Keep enclosures and seals in good condition, including windows and doors
Use furniture and textiles as allies to absorb sound
More than just trends, these points are the foundation of any modern acoustic strategy. As an architect and apartment renovation advisor in Montevideo, I’ve learned (sometimes through my own frustrations) that acoustic comfort must be anticipated in the early plans and discussions. A common mistake is relegating acoustics to the post-construction phase, where solutions tend to be more expensive and difficult to implement.
Practical Strategies: From Construction to Daily Life
Specific construction solutions help control the two main types of noise in multifamily buildings: airborne (voices, music, TV) and structural (vibrations, footfalls on floors, water pipes).
Increase partition wall thickness and use double walls with an air gap.
Incorporate viscoelastic sheets like Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) on walls, ceilings, and floors, a popular practice in projects in Australia and the U.S. [source]
Install solid doors with weather stripping and perimeter acoustic seals, plus double-glazed windows with airtight chambers.
For structural noise, use decoupling membranes (in floating floors or baseboards) and install acoustic drop ceilings.
The key is not to underestimate the number of noise leakage points: corridors, stairwells, technical areas, and shutter boxes are often the ‘weak links’ in auditory comfort.
Practical Improvements for Users, Owners, and Landlords
For those already living in existing buildings, small interventions can lead to big changes:
Thick rugs and heavy curtains help absorb sound and reduce reverberation.
Install weather stripping on doors, ventilate walls, and seal pipe and service entry points to prevent sound leaks [practical guide]
Rearrange furniture: placing shelves and large sofas against shared walls adds an extra layer of acoustic absorption.
If you’re an owner, plan renovations that improve the acoustic envelope: this investment increases the property’s appeal and value.
Outlook: Emerging Trends and Materials
In 2025, innovation in acoustic materials combines aesthetics, sustainability, and high performance. Leading brands focus on absorbent panels made from recycled fibers, soundproof drywall – even vegetal panels like wool felt or recycled cellulose. architectural acoustics no longer competes with visual design: it enhances it by creating patterns and textures that turn a technical necessity into a decorative resource with its own character.
Another rising trend: the use of digital solutions to evaluate and simulate acoustic behavior. BIM models and augmented reality enable anticipating results before physical construction, saving costs and surprises. This is the time to break with the idea that only theaters or auditoriums deserve careful acoustics: auditory comfort is an integral part of 21st-century living.
"In my latest project, simply deciding to place bedrooms away from common building areas, along with decorative acoustic panels, enabled premium rentals and a quieter community. Acoustic design adds value not only in well-being but also in commercial and reputational performance."
Digitalization and Visualization: Disruptive Tools in Acoustic Design
Digitalization is driving a creative and operational revolution. Platforms like Deptho open new possibilities for architects and designers to visualize and validate, within minutes, alternatives in layout, material choice, and furniture that potentially affect a room’s acoustics.
For example, simulating how embedding a built-in bookcase or a textured ceiling might impact the sound perception in a living room, or comparing different curtain and window configurations before investing in them. Tools like Image Editing from Deptho allow modifying images, adding or removing key elements, and previewing how an acoustically treated environment looks and feels. Additionally, the ability to create customized variants, reduce "visual noise," and optimize layout helps sell renovation concepts or attract investors and future residents.
The Human Factor and Culture of Acoustic Respect
Construction and design can solve many issues, but daily coexistence also requires a culture of acoustic respect. Organizing and communicating rules, being mindful of schedules and the most intrusive noises (loud appliances, large gatherings, unrestricted music use) is as important as the best wall covering. Influencing participatory planning raises collective awareness about the importance of managing noise.
As professionals, we can guide our clients to perceive acoustic comfort as part of their intangible heritage. And as users, never underestimate the small civic gestures which, when combined with proper infrastructure, make urban density a healthier experience.
Quick Checklist: Acoustic Supervision and Maintenance
Are the joints and weather stripping on doors and windows in good condition?
Are seals at pipe passage points complete and in good shape?
Is there sound leakage between interior partitions? Can it be reinforced with furniture or decorative panels?
Do textiles (rugs, curtains, upholstery) fulfill both aesthetic and acoustic functions?
Does the building have a coexistence and noise conflict resolution protocol?
Conclusions: Proactive Acoustic Design as a Quality Differentiator
Acoustic design has evolved beyond its technical profile to become an essential tool for humanizing and differentiating real estate. For developers, interior designers, real estate agents, or private owners, investing in the sound quality of spaces is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity demanded by the market and urban lifestyles seeking holistic well-being.
Interested in exploring how to boost your project with advanced visualization, acoustic simulation, or property presentations that truly stand out? Discover more practical strategies on our blog or try out the tools at Deptho. Take the first step to transform your clients’ lives... and your own.