Sound transparent assemblies in concert halls: Using simulation to balance acoustics and design aesthetic

Abstract

Variable acoustics finishes are often incorporated into concert halls to allow adjustment to the liveness of the space. Therefore. the visual appearance of the hall changes, depending on the settings of those variable acoustics finishes. Architects often prefer a consistent visual appearance, regardless of the positioning of those variable acoustics finishes. Acoustic Distinctions has made an effort to determine the relationship between visual opacity and sound transparency in order to facilitate a more successful collaboration between architect and acoustician without any compromise or guesswork in the acoustical impact of these finishes. This paper discusses several concert halls that incorporate sound transparent surfaces to hide variable acoustics finishes behind. We cite previous work done by Acoustic Distinctions and the University of Hartford to test and verify sound transparent construction and introduce more recent work using the Finite Volume Method to determine acceptability of sound transparent construction, and to inform application to larger geometrical acoustics models.