Worship space acoustics: Design needs, trends, and issues for sacred spaces, relative to traditional and contemporary worship styles

Abstract

Concerns and goals for worship space acoustic design include the need for clear, intelligible speech, well blended, balanced, and projected music, and encouraging robust participation by the congregation in sung and spoken parts of a service. Also important are the attenuation of noise and control of acoustical anomalies that could interrupt, mask, or distort the critical expressions of speech and music. Achieving these goals includes careful attention to such factors as various cubic air volumes, unique geometric forms, functional proximities, and interior finish material selections. These factors are important to both improving existing rooms and in creating new designs. A current challenge is that of accommodating different musical styles (from traditional compositions and instruments to contemporary and ethnic forms) within the same space. Practical issues may include client understanding of differences between A/V systems and their capabilities vs. architectural room acoustics, and realities of budge...