A green pathway to classroom acoustics: A comparison of classroom acoustic standards.

Towne seems to have started the modern classroom acoustics movement, and Nixon was one of its earliest volunteers. Nixon contributed to an important success of that movement, the development of ANSI standard for classroom acoustics, S12.60‐2002. Some of Nixon’s collaborations with Towne are remembered. Nixon’s efforts are also honored by showing important ways in which the standard influences contemporary practice of school building. The U.S. Green Building Council has adopted elements of the ANSI standard in its evolving LEED for Schools. Why not all? The acoustical requirements of LEED for Schools are compared with S12.60‐2002. Ongoing challenges of integrating good acoustics into school buildings in the context of sustainable design are discussed. The authors discuss the issues encountered in development of the LEED standard when acoustics vies with competing needs. The importance of involvement by members of the classroom acoustics community to further Nixon’s work is also discussed.