Architecturally Sound. Part 1: Why Acoustics Matter in Great Architecture

“Sometimes great visual architecture can lead to not so great acoustics…the end result being an unsuccessful project.”

Vision is our most dominant sense. The hegemony of sight in architecture is a given. “In Western design culture, sight has historically been regarded as the noblest of the senses," states renowned Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa [1].

Consequently, our preference for sight often leads to architectural imbalances. This is exemplified in contemporary design choices such as pastiches to Brutalism (i.e., exposed concrete soffit and bare walls). These design trends can often lead to unwanted examples of acoustic phenomena.

However, acoustic phenomena can be awe-inspiring and magical in other design settings. Amazing demonstrations of acoustical prowess exist throughout history, in both mind-boggling and magnificent displays of ingenuity. Occasionally, the creation of a brilliant auditory space is the result of serendipity, a wonderfully unexpected by-product of the physical design. And in some instances, a space becomes iconic solely for its acoustic properties.

This five-article series will celebrate amazing acoustic phenomena and observe the relationships to everyday architecture. It is intended to provoke discussion about inspiring interiors, provide a learning experience and to bring together those who are affected by acoustics.

EXPLORE 3 DESIGN CONCEPTS TO

Help bring your project vision to life!

Consider the Auditory Environment of Your Project

Sometimes great visual architecture can lead to not so great acoustics. It’s fair enough. The subject of acoustics is an enigma to most. It doesn’t help that acoustics are (mostly) invisible. Acoustics also exist in contrast to architecture, in that it is often more of a science than an art. Chalk and cheese so to speak?

Regardless, there are frequent discrepancies in architectural composition that do not factor in the impact on the auditory environment - the end result being an unsuccessful project.

This can lead to costly and inefficient redesign practices that can also impact the original design aesthetic.

Acoustic Comfort

The importance of acoustic comfort is widely discussed. We know that poor acoustics can have a dramatic effect on productivity, mood, health and the enjoyment of being in a space.

Acoustic phenomena such as focussing, flutter echo, colouration, resonance and excess reverberation can all lead to poor acoustic comfort and a negative perception of the environment. As the Association of Australian Acoustical Consultants notes, “the acoustic environment must support the way people work and interact.”

Every space is unique with its own variety of challenges. Acoustics is a complex science which warrants its own field. It is likely that without specialist attention and not knowing the acoustical requirements of your space, poor acoustic comfort will follow.

The good news - knowing the acoustical requirements of your space will increase the quality of your project! Good acoustic consultants know how to work with you to achieve the overall architectural vision.

Case Study: The Barossa Reservoir

Whispering walls and galleries are the acoustical product of hard surfaced concave architecture. The name is given due to whispered communication being heard with incredible clarity over unexpected distances. This phenomenon can be described as magical, as the experience appears to break the laws of physics.

In actuality, sound waves are being reflected around the circumference of the arc. Imagine that the unimpeded sound waves of a whisper travel directionally in a straight line. When they interact with the arc, multiple reflection points (in procession) can be created. The sound is then able to hug the curvature of the structure and travel great distances to its destination. Given the requirement of the curvature, the effect works best whispering along the wall, not perpendicular.

The Barossa Reservoir is a unique attraction that is popular among children and draws tourists because of its acoustical properties [2]. It is stated on the Barossa Australia website that “words whispered at one side can be clearly heard at the other, more than 100 metres away” [2]. Other sources state that a conversation can be held from over 140 metres away [3], [4].

Intentional Design?

Whispering Wall, The Barossa Reservoir

The world contains many whispering galleries, and most have not been intentionally designed. As enchanting as the acoustics are at the Barossa Reservoir, the design is of a typical ‘arch dam’ that implements the curve for engineering purposes.

Other whispering galleries around the world have also proved serendipitous. In a report by The New York Times, an architect who worked on the restoration of Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal admits that the train station’s whispering wall is a “happy coincidence” [5].

Advantages of Curves

Concave surfaces in architectural design are definitely amazing and look great. Studies show the advantages of curves in architecture in relation to human perception. A Harvard Medical School study found that “we prefer curves because they signal lack of threat (i.e., safety)” [6].

Further studies indicate that we associate curves with beauty and that this is hard wired into our brains. Neuroscientists at the University of Toronto conducted a study where they were able to determine that “participants are more likely to judge curvilinear than rectangle spaces as beautiful” [7].

While aesthetically pleasing, curved designs can haunt the minds of acousticians. Avert your eyes my friends!

Potential Issues

An issue with this design is that focussing effects are inherent to many concave surfaces. Focussing is the build-up of sound energy in localized regions of a room. As opposed to whispering along the arc, focussing occurs when the source and listener are further away from the focal point of the arc.

This is bad when conducting acoustic design for speech, especially when the acoustic design goal is to have an even response across all parameters. It is particularly prominent and common in the design of domed structures and circular walls.

Many studies exist pertaining to controlling acoustics in circular rooms. At the 2018 Australian Acoustical Society conference in Adelaide, I witnessed @Matthew Ottley from Marshall Day Acoustics present “Designing for Speech in a Circular Room” [8].

The paper deals with circular architecture and successfully manages unacceptable speech intelligibility issues after the fact. The refit was designed in collaboration with the architect and was able to achieve a circular aesthetic with significant improvements to the acoustics.

Solutions

Providing absorptive surfaces to the arc can attenuate the reflection and reduce the effect of focussing (see pictures below). This can be achieved in the initial design stage with curved acoustic panels, walls and ceilings. This method will remove sound energy from the room and result in a lower reverberation time.

SUPACOUSTIC slotted acoustic panel wall in a lecture theatre at Faculty of Law, University of Sydney

Curved absorptive acoustic wall panels in a lecture theatre at the Faculty of Law, Uni of Sydney NSW.

Glasshouse Port Macquarie

Creative music score theme patterned acoustic wall and ceiling panels address a demanding acoustic specification at The Glasshouse Port Macquarie, NSW.

Curved slatted ceiling at Market Hall, Robina Shopping Centre. Robina QLD

Complex curved absorptive slatted ceiling in the Market Hall at Robina Shopping Centre. Robina QLD

Decorative curved ceiling in perforated acoustic panels.

Perforated acoustic panels achieve a decorative curved ceiling above a reception desk while addressing noise control.

If the sound energy is to remain in the room, diffusion can be used. An example of this is the Royal Albert Hall which "used to suffer from an unfortunate echo caused by the cove of its ceiling" [9] See the "mushrooms" located at ceiling. For those who are not aware - diffusion is a concept that evenly scatters sound within a space.

"The acoustics have been transformed... the famous echo has become past history" - Sir William Glock

Royal Albert Hall, London

Wrap Up

Whispering walls are an amazing example of how a space can be understood and appreciated through its acoustical properties as much as through its aesthetic design. It also gives an opportunity to demonstrate how not considering all elements in the design stage could have ramifications on the function of a space.

It is never ideal to treat acoustic considerations after the fact. The result can be inefficient, costly and potentially impact the original design aesthetic.

There are many strategies to manage focussing effects. There are also causes of focussing other than concave surfaces!

Remember to speak with your acoustic consultant when designing any room for communication.

In Part 2 of the series, we look at a case study about Mayan Ball-courts, hard surfaced parallel walls and flutter echo. Go here to read it now>>>

References

[1] Juhani Pallasmaa, the Eyes of The Skin – Architecture and the Senses, Part 1 - Page 15, 1996.

[2] Barossa Australia, Whispering Wall, accessed 8th January, 2019, https://www.barossa.com/related/56b26e252cbcbe7073ae68c1/_Whispering-Wall.

[3] Barossawinetour.com, 'What Makes the Whispering Wall in the Barossa Valley So Special?', accessed 8th January, 2019, https://barossawinetour.com.au/blog/makes-whispering-wall-barossa-valley-special/

[4] Paula McManus, 'The Whispering Wall, Whisper to Me', Weekendnotes.com, accessed 8th January, 2019, https://www.weekendnotes.com/the-whispering-wall/

[5] Frank J. Prial Jr, Blinder Belle, 'Trains & Whispers', New York Times, Jan 22, 2006, Viewed 08 January, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/22/nyregion/thecity/trains-and-whispers.html

[6] Moshe Bar, Maital Neta 'Visual elements of subjective preference modulate amygdala activation' Neuropsychologia, Volume 45, Issue 10, 2007, Pages 2191-220

[7] Oshin Vartaniana, Gorka Navarreteb, Anjan Chatterjeed, Lars Brorson Fiche, Helmut Lederf, Cristián Modroñog, Marcos Nadalf, Nicolai Rostruph, and Martin Skov, 'Impact of contour on aesthetic judgments and approach-avoidance decisions in architecture' University of California, Irvine, CA', and approved April 23, 2013

[8] Matthew Ottley, Marshall Day Acoustics, Sydney Australia, Australian Acoustical Society Conference 2018, “Designing for Speech in a Circular Room”

[9] Royal Albert Hall, 'Acoustic Testing', accessed 8th January, 2019, https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/our-history/explore-our-history/building/acoustic-diffusers-mushrooms/

Disclaimer: All the information on this website - www.supawood.com.au - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Supawood does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website (Supawood), is strictly at your own risk. Supawood will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website.

From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link that may have failed.

Consent: By using our website, you hereby consent to our disclaimer and agree to its terms.

Request a Quote

Request a Sample