Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Common House Sound Proofing

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

on 10/16/2002 11:11 AM, Gary Kent at garykent [at] uniserve.com wrote:

> Like the idea of controlling the noise at source and that is something we
> shall address in some form. The idea of using a bell at each table to remind
> folks that the noise level is rising sounds good, as does a centreing
> exercise at the beginning of each meal.

One of the difficulties of dong community "well" is that we unconsciously
transfer the methods used in workplaces and schools to our  living
environment. 

Joyful community is loud. Aside from avoiding amplified music and expecting
people not to yell and scream, you don't want to do anything to stop people
from talking to each other.

The rules and regulations approach, as well as the design another form
approach, do not feel good in your home.

I'm with Liz. The first time someone rang a bell because they thought
someone else was talking too loud, they would be eating the bell or banned
from future meals.

And I say this as a person who is not attending meals because the noise
drives me crazy. Do the soundproofing as you build-- it costs a lot and is
harder to do later. The priorities get more complicated, not less, after
move-in. Put Tectum on every flat surface you can afford in the commonhouse.

Sharon
-- 
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org


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