Modern communication technology and media technology equipment are creating new preconditions for room-acoustic design. But the trends in modern architecture, energy and space efficiency along with the increasing flexibilization of (office) work are also having effects on the acoustic conditions. Against the background of these developments, Koelnmesse is staging the 2nd 'Office. Space. Acoustics.' Symposium on 19th and 20th October 2011 in the Konrad-Adenauersaal, Congress Centre North, Koelnmesse.

During the symposium, under the motto “Architectural Acoustics + Audiovisual Technology”, experts from the areas of communication technology, architecture, noise impact and acoustics will be focusing their attention on the synthesis of acoustics and innovative media technology. The Key Note Speaker is the co-developer of the MP3 format, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karlheinz Brandenburg, from the Fraunhofer IDMT (Institute for Digital Media Technology) and TU Ilmenau (University of Applied Science). The lecture programme will be supported by an exhibition on the Boulevard at Koelnmesse. There, manufacturers will be providing information about current trends and developments as well as the latest acoustically-effective materials for office design.

During the symposium experts and practitioners will be delivering papers on the themes of planning, equipping, management and noise impact in rooms. The aim of the 2nd Symposium is to promote the interdisciplinary exchange between the various specialist disciplines, which contribute to the creation of ideal acoustic conditions, and to inform those companies and firms affected about the diverse possibilities open to them in the area of room-acoustic design. In this connection the speakers will not only be presenting basic concepts, but also providing practical application examples and experiencebased reports. The Symposium is for the first time also aimed at international participants. All the contributions will therefore be simultaneously translated into English. The congress is directed at architects, planners, the specialist trade, Facility Managers, users in the office along with representatives from industry. [www.akustiksymposium.com]