This work presents a case study carried through in a research, education, assistance and technological development center in Rio de Janeiro in the areas of the health of women, children and adolescents, where mid- and high complexity pathologies are researched and treated. It intended to detect work environment problems that could affect the institution workers' health, in order to support the elaboration of the action plan to mitigate urgent questions and to develop an architectonic project for a new center. The work environments and processes were evaluated using a participative approach. All of the research center sectors were visited, semi-structured interviews with the workers in all sectors were conducted, and debates were promoted, which highlighted noise as one of the main factors of discomfort and stress. The in loco observation and analysis of the project allowed us to detect that the architectural design and the disregard for basic acoustic recommendations contributed to the creation of this situation. Measurements carried out in some areas signalized as noisy and uncomfortable indicated an exposure to a sound pressure level above 75dB(A). However, the resolution of the many acoustic problems identified will have to wait for the construction of the new headquarters.