The soundscape of worship

Abstract

Soundscape theory provides insights into the architectural acoustic design of religious buildings that demonstrate how acoustical issues can be integrated within worship spaces of the 21st century. Eliade (1959) conceives of worship spaces as a sacred enclosure where communication with the God is made. The spaces must have a door to the world above, by which the God can descend to earth and man can symbolically ascend to heaven. Sometimes this is manifest as one confronts his or her God alone, in silence; sometimes, it is manifest in the joyous singing and praying or sad wailing of the entire community joined in corporate celebration or solemnity during momentous events. If one pays careful attention to the group involved with the design of a facility, they can tailor the architectural, acoustical, and electronic systems design to provide a unique acoustical identity that expresses the individual aspirations of the particular church. The technical tools for measurement and assessment of existing conditions, modeling of proposed changes, and simulating the anticipated results so evaluations can be made while the design is still in a computer are readily available to allow consultants to develop acoustical aspects of worship spaces that are unique for each project.