Virtual acoustic reconstruction of the Miners’ Theatre in Idrija (Slovenia)

Abstract

This study reports history and the original architectural design of the Miners’ Theatre in Idrija. This theatre is usually considered to be the oldest such building in Slovenia and in 2001 it was declared a cultural monument of national importance. The building shape was typical of numerous small stand-alone theatres throughout Central Europe in the 18th century. The original design was later changed several times until it has reached the actual aspect. To analyse the acoustic characteristics of the current room (often named “Film Theatre”), an acoustic survey was carried out and several acoustic parameters defined in the ISO 3382-1 standard, were calculated and analysed. To study the acoustic characteristics of the theatre in its original shape, a numerical model was realized and properly validated. The simulations of three different scenarios were performed and the results obtained from the simulation have been analysed and commented.