Browsing by Author "Şaher, Konca"

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Citation - Scopus: 0
Acoustic Design Guidelines for Adults With Intellectual Disability
(European Acoustics Association EAA, 2014) Şaher, Konca; Şaher, Konca; Nijs, Lau; Hordijk, Truus; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
This paper concentrates on the acoustic design aspects of the living rooms in institutions for adults with intellectually disability. In the living rooms for adults with ID there is even a higher stress on the acoustics since they are more dependent on the acoustical environment compared to normal population. Moreover prevalence of hearing impairment among adults with ID is around 30% and in most cases it is not even recognised. Therefore the rooms for adults with ID need to be designed by taking into account the requirements of the hearing impaired. They need more favourable room acoustics to improve their communication and participation. This paper investigates three main themes: 1) Investigation of impact of building design tools on acoustical quality parameters and determination of most appropriate acoustical quality indicator that translates best into architectural practice for living rooms for adults with ID. 2) Investigation of the relation between user satisfaction and absorption amount in rooms for adults with ID by listening tests prepared from auralizations. 3) Development of architectural/acoustical design guidelines to provide optimal absorption amount for living rooms for adults with ID.
Citation - Scopus: 0
ACOUSTIC TRANSFORMATION OF ROCK-CUT CAVES INTO PERFORMANCE SPACES
(European Acoustics Association, EAA, 2023) Şaher, Konca; Saher,K.; Tozoglu,A.E.; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
Cappadocia Region in Turkey is a center of attention as a tourism destination with its rock-cut caves, some of which are being used as performance spaces for concerts, festivals and local entertainment activities. However, these spaces are not fully investigated for their acoustic performance before being transformed into performance venues. This paper reports on the findings of an initial survey which presents a systematic mapping of the rock-cut caves used as performance spaces to locate, explore and document a sample of structures scattered in this historic district. A typological classification based on volume, size, type of tuff rock material and historical original use has been proposed and an acoustic analysis of some selected rock-cut caves has been carried out. The acoustic analysis included reverberation time calculations and simulations based on apparent volume, and tuff stone absorption characteristics, which were studied by other researchers in the area. © 2023 Aslan et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation - WoS: 2
Citation - Scopus: 4
Assessment of speech intelligibility during different teaching activities in classrooms with and without acoustic treatment
(Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2023) Şaher, Konca; Bulunuz, Mizrap; Kelmendi, Jonida; Nas, Sezin; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
There is limited data for assessing speech intelligibility in real classrooms with realistic occupied noise levels and teacher's and students' speech levels for different teaching activities in Turkish secondary school classrooms. This study investigates the effect of reverberation time (RT), occupied noise levels and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on speech transmission index (STI) in real classrooms for instruction and group work. Noise levels were measured and STI values were calculated in two secondary school classrooms with RT of 0.88 s and 2.73 s. During instruction situation, calculated mean STI values were 0.63 (classroom with acoustic treatment) and 0.29 (classroom without acoustic treatment) for normal voice effort and 0.65 (classroom with acoustic treatment) and 0.39 (classroom without acoustic treatment) for raised voice effort. During group work, STI values ranged from 0.50 to 0.74 in classroom with acoustic treatment and from 0.01 to 0.34 in classroom without any acoustic treatment. SNR of 15 dBA is only approached in classroom with acoustic treatment during instruction situation. The effect of increasing SNR on STI is prominent in the classroom without acoustic treatment which already has low SNR values. The present results show that the classroom with acoustic treatment will have good speech intelligibility for instruction with normal vocal effort and for group work with raised vocal effort at 3 m distance. However, the classroom with no acoustic treatment will have STI values in the range of bad and poor intelligibility. The present results confirm the impact of SNR and RT on speech intelligibility and shows that RT value of minimum 0.8 s is optimal to have good speech intelligibility in a secondary school classroom of approximately 250 m3 with a capacity of 18 students.(c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Citation - WoS: 0
Blending Science and Art: an Educational Perspective
(Iated-Int Assoc Technology Education & Development, 2019) Balkır Kuru, Nur; Şaher, Konca; Şaher, Konca; Balkır, Nur; Mıhçı, Gürkan; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design; Core Program
rt and design education enable students to find creative and logical solutions to various design problems. The use of materials, constructive analysis, craftmanship, and originality are some key criteria in the process. Size and dimensionality, the proportion analysis, expression integrity, substantiality, and presentability can vary depending on the project and the context. As one of the methods used to provide targeted experience and learning in art and design education, interdisciplinary work presents a right ground for complex design issues. The workshop we carried out together with the Tubitak National Metrology Institution (UME) named "Art's Metrology, Metrology's Art" aimed to transform art, design, and science together into a product. As rational, natural, and appropriate connections can be established between art and science, students were asked to develop a method to meet the objectives and criteria of both around a certain conceptual focus. An important inclusive of the workshop was to have students observe, get informed, and engage in dialogue and ultimately increase their curiosity about a certain mechanism outside of their studies. The group dynamic in the process of creating three-dimensional and displayable works within a scheduled time was supported by a scientist from the metrology department, three art and design instructors, Konca Saher, Nur Balkir, and Gurkan Mihci from Kadir Has University. The finished works were then exhibited in the Tubitak-UME in Gebze compound. This study, which blends science and art, provided students with the opportunity to experiment with a science field, and to develop their predictions about their own disciplines. The paper will present the development and the outcome of the workshop.
Dersliklerde Reverberasyon Süresi ve Gürültü-Sinyal Oranının Yetişkinler ve Çocuklarda Kelime Ayırt Etme Oranına Etkisi
(2019) Şaher, Konca; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
Bu makale, sınıflarda yetişkinler ve çocuklar için reverberasyon süresi değerlerinin, reverberasyon süresinin frekans aralıklarındaki dağılımının ve sinyal-gürültü oranının konuşmanın anlaşılabilirliğine olan etkisini Türkçe fonetik dengeli tek heceli kelime ayırt etme testleriyle belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Öncelikle, her biri 25 öğeden oluşan 2 takım fonetik dengeli tek heceli Türkçe kelime tam yansımasız bir odada kaydedildi. Kayıtların işitselleştirmeleri akustik bir simülasyon yazılımında tipik bir sınıf için 0,8 saniye (500 Hz, 1000 Hz ve 2000 Hz ortalaması), 0,4 saniye (500 Hz, 1000 Hz ve 2000 Hz ortalaması) ve 0,4 saniye (125–4000 Hz) olmak üzere üç farklı reverberasyon süresi ve iki farklı sinyal-gürültü oranı (0 dB ve 15 dB) için geliştirildi. Üç farklı reverberasyon süresi ve iki farklı sinyal-gürültü oranına sahip altı modeldeki işitselleştirmelerden geliştirilen dinleme testleri, normal işitme yeteneğine sahip genç yetişkinlere ve çocuklara dinletildi. Sonuçlar, 0 dB ve 15 dB olarak her iki sinyal-gürültü oranı için reverberasyon süresi 500 Hz, 1000 Hz ve 2000 Hz ortalaması olarak 0,8 saniyeden 0,4 saniyeye düştüğü zaman, konuşmayı ayırt etme yüzdelerinin yetişkinlerde de çocuklarda da arttığını göstermektedir. Ancak 0 dB sinyal-gürültü durumunda reverberasyon süresi 500 Hz, 1000 Hz ve 2000 Hz ortalaması olarak 0,4 saniyeden 125 Hz – 4000 Hz oktav bantlarının her birinde 0,4 saniye civarına düştüğü zaman yetişkinlerin konuşmayı ayırt etme oranında kayde değer bir iyileşme olmazken, çocukların kelime ayırt etme oranlarının önemli derecede arttığı gözlemlenmiştir. 15 dB sinyal-gürültü oranı için ise 125 Hz – 4000 Hz oktav bantlarının her birinde 0,4 saniye elde edildiği durumun yetişkinlerde de çocuklarda da konuşma anlaşılabilirliğine önemli bir etkisi görülmemektedir.
Citation - WoS: 2
The Effect of Reverberation Time and Signal-To Ratio on Word Recognition Scores by Adults and Children in Classrooms
(Yıldız Technical Univ, 2019) Şaher, Konca; Şaher, Konca; Karaböce, Baki; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
This paper seeks to assess the effect of reverberation time, distribution of reverberation time over the frequency range and signal-to-noise ratio on speech intellibility by adults and children in classrooms by the use of phonetically balanced monosyllabic Turkish word recognition tests. Two sets of 25-items phonetically balanced monosyllabic Turkish words were recorded in a full anechoic chamber. Auralizations of the recordings were developed in an acoustic simulation software for a range of reverberation time of 0,8 seconds (average of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz ve 2000 Hz), 0,4 seconds (average of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz ve 2000 Hz) and 0,4 seconds (125-4000 Hz) and two signal-to-noise ratios of 0 dB and 15dB in a typical classroom. Listening tests developed from auralizations were presented to adults and children. The results show that when reverberation time (average of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz ve 2000 Hz) is reduced from 0.8 seconds to 0.4 seconds for both signal-to-noise ratios of 0 dB and 15 dB, the percentage of speech recognition scores increases in both adults and children. However, in case of 0 dB signal-to-noise, when the reverberation time falls from 0.4 seconds (average of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz ye 2000 Hz) to 0.4 seconds (125-4000 Hz) while there is no significant improvement in the word recognition scores by adults, there is a significant improvement in childrens' scores. For the 15 dB signal-to-noise ratio case, reverberation time of 0,4 seconds (125 - 4000 Hz) does not have a notable impact on word recognition scores for both children and adults.
Citation - Scopus: 1
Experiences From Iys 2020, Public Engagement and Awareness Activities in Turkey
(European Acoustics Association, EAA, 2023) Şaher,K.; Şaher, Konca; Sezgin,H.; Dümen,A.Ş.; Nas,S.; Kulak,S.; Özçetin,Z.; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
The year 2020, which has been designated as the International Year of Sound with the intention of celebrating and promoting the importance of sound for science and society was ironically started as a silent and isolated year with the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, these unprecedented times and activities around the world, which explored the interaction between sound, technology and the society, presented sound experiences for humanity and the ecosystem that they have never had the opportunity to experience before. This study reports on the activities of Turkish Acoustical Society during these times and aims to draw attention to the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of the instruments for widening participation and spreading knowledge relating to sound. The main activities were public opinion survey on noise annoyance in dwellings before and during the pandemic, Turkish Glossary of Acoustic Terms, IYS Drawing and Composition Competition in Turkish schools and various seminars, interviews, podcast on social media channels. Our experience and findings suggest that designing and implementing activities that actively includes researchers, teachers, students and ordinary people may help increase public engagement behaviorally, emotionally, and cognitively, there by positively affecting awareness in sound related subjects. © 2023 First author et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation - Scopus: 0
EXPLORING THE ACOUSTIC IDENTITY OF DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY
(Society of Acoustics, 2024) Nas,S.; Şaher, Konca; Şaher,K.; Mıhçı,G.; Aytıs,S.; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
Sounds play a significant role in shaping the identity of spaces and places, yet the acoustic environment of underground cities remains relatively unexplored in the existing literature. Derinkuyu Underground City stands as a prominent cultural heritage site, boasting a capacity of 20,000 people and serving as one of the largest underground cities globally. While geological and structural studies have been conducted on such sites, investigations into indoor acoustics, a crucial aspect of the physical environment, are notably lacking. This study initiates an initial examination of the sound environment within Derinkuyu Underground City, aiming to analyse its features acoustically. Undertaking a PhD study, our research endeavours to gather essential data essential for the preservation of the site's current acoustic environment as a cultural heritage site while also generating valuable insights for the design and construction of future underground cities. In this paper, we present a preliminary assessment of the typologies of various spaces within Derinkuyu Underground City, exploring their unique acoustic features. By characterizing and understanding the acoustic properties of diverse spaces within the underground city, we seek to understand how acoustic might contribute to the identity of these spaces and provide foundational knowledge for both preservation efforts and future underground urban design initiatives. © 2024 Proceedings of the International Congress on Sound and Vibration. All rights reserved.
Citation - Scopus: 0
Greece-Turkey Relations
(Edinburgh University Press, 2023) Şaher, Konca; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
[No abstract available]
Citation - Scopus: 0
International Collaborations Among Schools as a Follow-Up of the International Year of Sound
(Society of Acoustics, 2024) Şaher, Konca; Bartalucci, C.; Macchie, S.D.; Pedrero, A.; Saher, K.; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
In this paper, moving from the successful initiatives connected to the International Year of Sound and a solid international collaboration developed during the past ten years in the frame of INAD, the International Noise Awareness days, the authors present a new project that involves schools from Italy, Spain and Turkey together with the three National Acoustical Societies. The project regards education in acoustics at schools and co-design of silent solutions has been object of an application for grants under the call Erasmus KA220-SCH - cooperation partnerships in school education. © 2024 Proceedings of the International Congress on Sound and Vibration. All rights reserved.
Kılıç Ali Paşa Camii Akustik Mirası Değerlendirmesi : Modern Bir Camii ile Akustik Performans Karşılaştırması
(Kadir Has Üniversitesi, 2018) Kocaer, Rabia; Şaher, Konca; Şaher, Konca; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
Tarihi cami yapılarının korunmasında görsel algı dışında işitselliğin mekandaki algısının farkındalığını sağlamak düşünülmüştür. Bu çalışmada Mimar Sinan'nın önemli yapısı olan Kılıç Ali Paşa Camisi'nin restorasyon sürecindeki akustik değerlendirmesive günümüz modern cami yapısı ile akustik performans karşılaştırması yapılmıştır. Arşiv taramaları, mimari projeler, yerinde görme, bilgi ve belge araştırmaları yapılmıştır. Kılıç Ali Paşa Camii ve İmam-ı Azam Camisi'ne ait autocad ve sketchup programlarından yararlanılarak 3D modellemeleri yapılmıştır. Söz konusu camilerin hacim akustiği kriterlerinden olan Reverberasyon Süresi (RT) ve Konuşmanın İletim İndeksi (STI) değerleri elde edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda Kılıç Ali Paşa Camisi'nin orijinal hali ve restorasyon süreci ile caminin mevcut durumunun simülasyon verileri karşılaştırılmış ve Kılıç Ali Paşa Cami mevcut durumu ile İmam-ı Azam Cami'nin simülasyon verilerinin karşılaştırılarak değerlendirilmesi yapılmıştır.16.yüzyıl yapısı olan Kılıç Ali Paşa Camisi'nin 21.yüzyıl yapısı olan İmam-ı Azam Camisi'ne göre daha iyi akustik değerlere sahip olduğu elde edilen veriler sonucunda ortaya çıkmıştır.
Citation - Scopus: 0
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games-Acoustic Design Aspects of Temporary Venues
(European Acoustics Association EAA, 2014) Şaher, Konca; Şaher, Konca; Cahill, Ben; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
This paper concentrates on the acoustic design aspects of the Temporary Venues at London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The project needed integration of individuals from various different client groups consultants and contractors into one team to work in a multi-disciplinary way. Atkins-Acoustics Noise and Vibration Consultancy worked with venue design team project managers sustainability consultants from London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and architects. The keywords for Temporary Venues are absence of legacy and sustainability. There are over 120 of Temporary Venues spread throughout London and other parts of UK. The acoustic analysis strategy had two main components: Noise to the environment and noise to the venue. Noise to the environment included baseline noise survey of the site in comparison to the 3D modelling of the venue for construction games and demolition phases. Noise to the venue included setting acoustic criteria for each component sound insulation reverberation time calculations public address and voice evacuation design and mechanical plant noise control.
Citation - WoS: 0
Citation - Scopus: 0
Mountain Bike Venue Test Event Noise Assessment London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
(Studıo D-Akustika Sro, 2016) Şaher, Konca; Şaher, Konca; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
This article reports the results of the noise monitoring during the London 2012 Mountain Biking Test Event which was held at Hadleigh Farm. The noise monitoring was held during the Mountain Bike Test Event for two purposes: Firstly as part of the requirements of Environmental Management Plan for the Test Event to ensure that no noise disturbance was being caused and the noise levels were below the agreed criterion of 65 dB(A) at the noise sensitive receptors during the Test Event and secondly to check whether any additional mitigation measures need to be adopted for the main Olympic Event. The noise monitoring results indicate that the L-Aeq noise levels at the selected two noise sensitive receptors were below the 65 dB(A) criterion. The results confirmed the predictions that the crowd noise was not a noise nuisance during the Test Event and the results further showed that no noise nuisance at the noise sensitive receptors was caused by public adress system. The public address system to be used during the main event was very similar to the Test Event therefore it was possible to conclude that the noise nuisance from the event (public address system and spectator noise) could be assessed as being moderate to low risk during the main Games.
Citation - WoS: 12
Citation - Scopus: 45
Noise Annoyance During Covid-19 Lockdown: a Research of Public Opinion Before and During the Pandemic
(Acoustical Society of America, 2020) Şentop Dümen, Ayça; Şaher, Konca; Şaher, Konca; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
Strict lockdown strategies to stop the spread of COVID-19 have caused a decrease in environmental noise levels and introduced new noise conditions in dwellings. The present study has investigated the impact of the forced lockdown in Turkey on noise annoyances due to traffic, neighbors, and personal dwellings, as well as the concern of being heard by neighbors, and overall dwelling satisfaction in an online questionnaire. The stress and anxiety levels of respondents were also investigated. The survey obtained 1053 respondents. Additionally, environmental noise levels were measured over 24-h at two locations and compared with results before the pandemic. The results clearly exhibit that environmental noise levels and annoyance due to the noise levels dropped significantly. The annoyance drop was larger in previously noisier environments than previously tranquil locations. Noise annoyance due to neighbor noise did not change significantly; however, noise annoyance due to one's own dwelling increased. The results also confirmed an overall increase in dwelling satisfactions indicating a correlation between dwelling satisfaction and lower environmental noise levels. Although the results confirmed that noise annoyance was positively correlated with stress and anxiety levels, the change of annoyance between before and during lockdown was shown to be independent from the stress and anxiety level
Citation - Scopus: 0
Reflections on the International Noise Awareness Day 2023 Activities
(Society of Acoustics, 2024) Şaher, Konca; Dümen, A.Ş.; Sezgin, H.; Nas, S.; Kelle, D.; Demiral, Y.; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
This paper presents an overview of the experiences and outcomes derived from the activities organized for International Noise Awareness Day 2023 in Turkey with the theme “Keep your hearing, keep your health”. Collaboratively organized by Turkish Acoustical Society, and Occupational Hygienists Society, the initiatives aimed to explore the role of sound in educational facilities, with a particular focus on the perspectives of students and teachers. These activities were a student drawing competition, an online International Symposium, a research project titled "Assessment of Acoustic Conditions in Schools and Health Effects on School," and an "Acoustics Workshop in Educational Buildings" conducted at the Izmir BLX Acoustics Laboratory. Drawing from our experiences and findings, we highlight the significance of actively involving researchers, acoustic consultants, occupational hygienists, teachers, students, and designers in such endeavours. Our findings indicate that inclusive approaches not only boost public engagement but also enhance awareness of behavioural, emotional, educational, administrative and design aspects related to sound. By promoting collaboration and participation in knowledge exchange, such activities significantly improve understanding of sound-related issues in schools. © 2024 Proceedings of the International Congress on Sound and Vibration. All rights reserved.
Citation - Scopus: 1
Room Acoustic Modelling of a Reverberation Chamber
(German Acoustical Society (DEGA), 2016) Şaher, Konca; Şaher, Konca; Nas, Sezin; Karaböce, Baki; Kırbaş, Cafer; Bilgiç, Eyüp; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
This paper aims at comparing measured broadband reverberation time values in the reverberation chamber of Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey - National Metrology Institute (TUBITAK-UME) in Gebze Turkey with the simulated reverberation time values from the room acoustical modelling of the same reverberation chamber. The reverberation chamber in TUBITAK-UME has a volume of 263m3 total inner surface area of 262 m2 and 16 diffusers made of Plexiglas and hung randomly in the room. The majority of the diffusers have hyperbolic shapes. There are also six absorbers to adjust the reverberation time of the room. Indications of difficulties in the calibration of the acoustic model with reference to the measured values and different frequencies are given and the modelling and measurement uncertainties and limitations are discussed. © 2016 German Acoustical Society (DEGA). All rights reserved.
Citation - Scopus: 0
Through Healtier Learning Environments in Turkish Schools
(European Acoustics Association, EAA, 2023) Şaher,K.; Şaher, Konca; Öztürk,A.; Dümen,A.Ş.; Demiral,Y.; Ozankan,A.; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
Turkish Acoustical Society (TAKDER) and Occupational Hygienists Society (IHIDER) of Turkey organized a series of events for International Noise Awareness Day (INAD) 2023 in collaboration with, Acoustical Society of Italy and Acoustical Society of Spain with the theme “Keep your hearing, keep your health: Educational facilities”. As part of INAD 2023 activities, a research project for assessment of acoustic conditions in schools and teachers' noise exposure and its health effects was started as a joint project between TAKDER and IHIDER. This short paper introduces the preliminary results of this project, including evaluation of the acoustical quality in four Turkish schools of four institution levels: kindergarten, primary school, middle school, and secondary school. The acoustic performance of schools was analyzed by on-site measurements of sound insulation, reverberation time, ambient noise levels and speech intelligibility. The findings of the survey were analyzed in reference to the national regulation. The results indicate that most of the building elements and school spaces do not comply with acoustic criteria. The findings are further to be discussed in collaboration with professionals from variety of disciplines to transform schools through a healthier and more comfortable learning environment for children and teachers. © 2023 First author et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation - Scopus: 2
Towards New Acoustic Policies in the 'new Normal' of the Covid-19 Pandemic
(International Commission for Acoustics (ICA), 2022) Şentop Dümen, A.; Şaher, Konca; Şaher, K.; Kurra, S.; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
In 2020, Turkish Acoustical Society conducted a survey to measure the pandemic's impact on acoustic evaluation of residential buildings. 1053 people participated in this survey and answered to the questions on their noise annoyances before and during the Covid-19. Results indicated an increased acoustical comfort during the lock-downs due to the decreased environmental noise, but also highlighted the importance of interior noises (from neighbouring dwellings and from one's own dwelling). Other studies from all over the world reported similar results for the first wave of the pandemics. After two years of experience, the question of how user behaviour, acoustical perception and expectance have changed is yet to be answered in order to develop correct strategies and strengthen the acoustical policies for accomplishing sustainable cities. This paper introduces the results of the 2020 study and gives an analysis of the current literature on (1) acoustic perception during the pandemics, (2) working from home and its persistency, and (3) changed user habits in dwellings and in cities. The acoustical requirements in the era of 'new normal' and policy implications are discussed. © ICA 2022.All rights reserved
Citation - Scopus: 1
Turkey's Seven Decades of Ebb and Flow Within Nato
(Edinburgh University Press, 2023) Şaher, Konca; Ovali, A.S.; Interior Architecture and Environmental Design
[No abstract available]