Measuring the Thermal Comfort and the Sound Level in Design Studio Classes in Architecture Engineering Colleges

Thermal comfort is one of the most important topics in the course Environmental Control, ARC404 assign to Architecture program in the college of architecture Engineering and Digital Design, 6 students in this course will share in the research, will distribute in three groups. This research is aiming to let the students learn and practice how to measure the thermal comfort in-studio classes focusing on the temperature, the humidity, and the noise, analysing and find solutions. The methodology of the research is based on using monitor devices; noise level smart meter, smart temperature and humidity measurement meter with data analysis by using Excel computer program as well as, distrusting a survey to know the user’s opinion. The college has three types of a studio class, one facing the courtyard, with large glass window, the second at the middle of the corridor with high-level window, the third one is far away from the courtyard without any window. The results compared by The United Nation Environut Protection Agency (EPA) noise levels. The results show that the studio class CBC09 level of sound exceed 60 dB which consider as noise. Also, the class CBC01 is the most comfortable class because of 25 C° temperature, 40% humidity and 55 DB the sound level is also exceed the limit by EPA. The conclusion of the research paper will highlight some scientific solutions in walls, ceiling and floors for the studio classes to be applied in the future.


Introduction
The design studio halls in Architecture department are suffering from noise because the main walls are made from glass plywood partitions, this cause problem of discomfort for the students and teachers during the lecture because of sound transfer... Also, because of the glasses are in the basement this cause high humidity in winter and high temperature in summer.
Although measuring the thermal comfort in design studio classes became significance in measuring the sound and noise level, temperature and humidity in the class and find out scientific solutions. its significant for the studio classes in DAU will provide more comfortable places for the students, and for the community, it will attract more students if we improve the situation in the internal environment.

Objectives of the Research
1) To measure the thermal comfort in the design studio classes in Architecture Department.
2) To let the student share in scientific research in course Environmental control.
3) To encourage the students using the monitoring system such as, sound smart meter and temperature smart thermometer 4) To encourage the students working in groups. 5) To learn the students the main steps of doing scientific research.
6) The research will be discussed in Prince Sultan Forum for students researches and this will let DAU students having the experience to share in conferences, discussing their results and have experience in presentation, and meet with the professionals. 7) To use the main instruments used in the research for other faculty members for other researches in the future and will establish scientific Lab for female students and faculty members.

a. Research Problem
The main research question: Do the design studio classes comfortable for students and teachers?
To answer this question, the research will monitor the thermal comfort in-studio classes in the college of architecture engineering and digital design, the researchers choose three classes in each side male/female CBC01/ABC01, CBC07/ABC07 and CBC09/ABC09. Because they have different designs, especially in window size, the amount of natural lighting

Literature Review
Abdelmoneim, H. (2020) discussed in the paper Benchmarking case study different global systems compare with the local system SEBAM, one of the major sustainable eco buildings principles is studying the indoor environmental quality focusing on the natural ventilation. Abdelmoneim, H. (2020) discussed the Greater Khartoum local system Assessment Method to Evaluate sustainable-eco -buildings (SBAM) the system discussed the indoor environmental quality in using the ecological building material, natural ventilation, sustainable lighting.
Laaeddine, R., Wu, S. & Del, E. (2019) discussed in their paper the Occupancy, windows, opening and, closing, shading control, equipment use, lighting control, Thermostat adjustment and give the Advantages and Disadvantages. Mahmoud, S.(2019) discussed in her paper different sources of noise such as image noise, speakers noise and mechanical system noise which are affect human health. Abdelmoneim, H., (2019) discussed the six basic factors of thermal confort which are the humidity, the temperature, radiant temperature, air velocity, metabolic heat, and human clothing this research is focusing on the humidity and temperature and the noise. The united State Environmental Protection Agency EPA (2017) discussed the monitoring system that used in schools and universities and stated to set the cschool bus and other vehicles inside the school in particular space for airborne and noise. In addition the added establish and implement a regular schedule for maintaining unit ventilators, replacing air filters, cleaning supply air diffusers, return registers and outside air intakes and commission the HVAC system a minimum of once every 5 years. Hassan, S., (2007)  Jalil, A., Mjid, M. and Safa, Kh. (2012) published a paper about measuring the noise levels in college of architecture engineering, civil epartment and stated that the sound level in the whole building reach 76.7which exceed the limit of acepted sound level at universities.the EPA is recommended the sound level between 40-30 for universities.
(KAUST, 2013) stated in the report that energy-saving can be achieved by studying windows, solar screening, glazing and building insulations. Hassan, S., (2002) stated in his book the heat transfer in buildings through walls, heat exchange between the human and the surroundings, the internal thermal comfort can be controlled by using the natural ventilation through the windows or by using the mechanical means. Mcmullan, R.(2002) discussed the importance of natural ventilation in classes between 3-4 air changes per hour and added the moisture inside the buildings caused by human activities like breathing and cooking. (Schiavon, S., 2010) Personalized ventilation (PV) is an individually controlled air distribution system aimed at improving the quality of inhaled air and the thermal comfort of each occupant the study reach to the PV may reduce the energy consumption up to 51% following the natural ventilation. Wazeri, Y., (2010) concluded that the use of interior courtyards has been one of the useful solutions that have been adopted in ancient Nubian Architecture, especially evident in the Tushki village. The study proved that a square plan wind tower should not exceed a height of 6 metres in cases, wherein it is used for a building of 3 metres height. Moreover, the study revealed that the use of rectangular shape is better than the cubic shape; and its height does not exceed 1 metre over the water level, specifically when the     Vol. 13, No. 4;

Discussion
The location is at the college of architecture engineering, architecture department. The measurements were done every day ate midday in the three classrooms CBC01, CBC02 and CBC09 this time is the peak time for these studio classes.
The results of sound level measured by sound meter (Figure 2) for class CBC01 is 55 dB which exceed the limit of sound for classroom announced by The Environmental Agency (EPA ). In addition, the result of sound level measured for studio class CBC07 is 58 dB which is also exceed the limit 35 dB announced by EPA. In addition to that the measurements of sound level of class CBC09 is 60 dB, which is double 35 dB the limit announced by EPA.
The below table 2 shows the higher measurement of sound level is record for studio classroom CG09 Which is 68 dB at 12.00 pm to 13.00 pm which is the peak time for students at their break time and this studio classroom is facing the main hall. In addition, the lower measurement shows in Table 2 is measured for class CBC01 which is 60 dB which still far a way from the limit 35 dB by EPA.
The research results show the percentage of humidity and temperature are normal specially there is HVAC system in each class that the student could adjust the temperature in summer and winter.

Recommendations
-The research recommends using of insulation materials in the wall panel between the two classes -In addition, the research recommends closing the opening high-level window between the two classes.
-As well as, the research recommends using of curtains for all the classes -Change the doors into wooden door instead of glass materials.
-Using of solid walls portion's instead of lightweight partitions.
-The research recommends regular maintenance of Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning System.
-The researcher agreed to use control system in heating and cooling the class to control the temperature and the humidity in summer and winter.
-The researcher suggested to the false ceiling in 1m. depth for the HVAC system to avoid the vibration.
-The research recommends using carpet on the floor to minimize the noise.
-The research recommends using the monitoring system and measuring the sound level in 3D machine lab and in the main hall.