Converting performance spaces into lecture halls

Abstract

Identifying classroom spaces able to accommodate students consistent with social distancing guidelines is a major logistical concern for Academic institutions attempting to have in-person instruction during the pandemic. The solution to this problem is to adapt larger campus spaces such as gymnasiums, public spaces, or performance venues, for classroom usage. This work focuses on measuring important acoustical parameters in these planned lecture spaces such as reverberation time (T20), speech clarity (C50), background noise decibel level, and sound pressure level differences in a grid pattern in the room. We studied existing classrooms as well as the target spaces for comparison and to optimize the parameter values for the new lecture spaces. Acoustic measurements were taken and analyzed using a sine sweep method with a calibrated microphone. The T20 of the rooms were calculated using a Sabine model to compare with the measured values and to guide plans for reducing T20 to transform the spaces to host lectures and discussion. Because the gymnasiums will also revert to the normal function, the proposed solutions must be temporary and easily added or removed.