Can Sound Change How Space is Used? Results from Library Pilot Study Released — 'Sound Design' is the Key to Balancing 'Concentration' and 'Vibrancy'

otonoha (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Shinichiro Inabata), in collaboration with Handa City (Aichi Prefecture), Library Research Institute Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President: Kyohei Hiroki), and TOA Corporation (Headquarters: Kobe, Hyogo; President: Katahiro Taniguchi), conducted a pilot study on sound environments at the Handa City Library from early February to mid-March 2026.

Based on a survey of 161 visitors, the study aimed to determine if new usage styles allowing for sound and conversation could be accepted in library spaces traditionally viewed as requiring silence, and what impact this would have on the visitor experience.

In this pilot, otonoha managed sound environment design, as well as the provision, installation, and operation of sound systems. Together with its partners, it verified the effectiveness of adjusting spatial usage gradually through 'sound' without requiring major renovations.

Plant-based sound devices were placed in the library, and three experimental areas were set up on the first floor to compare visitor evaluations:

- Area 1: Sound-Enabled Reading Area: Natural environment sounds and background music play to mask surrounding noise and reduce tension. - Area 2: Silence Reading Area: A conventional quiet environment, used as a comparison. - Area 3: Conversation-Friendly Area: Allows for quiet conversation while playing background music.

Key Findings:

1. Acceptance of sound and conversation: 60.4% of respondents supported the establishment of Area 3 (Conversation-Friendly Area), gaining majority approval. 2. Underlying dissatisfaction with excessive silence: Approximately 41% reported feeling uncomfortable due to excessive silence, confirming that forced quietness is a psychological burden for some. 3. High evaluation of natural sound masking: In Area 1, 69% of respondents felt ambient noise was not distracting, and 68% rated the area as comfortable. 4. Sound leakage remains a challenge: In Area 2, 27% of visitors felt that sound leakage from other areas was distracting, highlighting a future area for improvement.