Architectural Acoustics 1

Basic knowledge of Physics.

The methodology used is defined by the following items:

a) exposure of the contents by the teacher using audiovisual material;
b) systematization of theoretical and practical knowledge: resolution of issues and problems;
c) study visits to rooms for speech or music.

Students can choose between two types of assessment: continuous/periodic assessment or exam. Continuous/periodic assessment will focus on work and class participation. The final grade corresponds to the following arithmetic: work (80%) + qualitative/quantitative participation in classes (20%). Assessment by exam (100%) will be done through written and oral test (the latter, if the classification in the written test is between 7.5 and 9.4 values).

The learning outcomes of this curricular unit are:

a) know the origins of acoustic spaces;
b) know the importance of space as a key element of architectural acoustics;
c) recognize and explain the variables associated to the interaction of sound waves with the environment
(free space and closed space);
d) know the acoustic parameters that describe the acoustic quality of rooms;
e) learn to analyze the parameters and variables required for acoustic characterization of rooms;
f) know and analyze the different kinds of rooms.

ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS 1

ROOM ACOUSTICS
module 1

a) Acoustic spaces in Antiquity.
b) Behaviour of sound outdoors and indoors. Sound fields.
c) Absorption of sound. Absorption coefficients. Panels absorbers.
d) Diffusion of sound.
e) Reverberation. Reverberation time.
f) Physical and subjective parameters of a room.
g) Quality criteria to characterise good acoustics.

TYPES OF ROOMS
module 2

a) Auditoriums for voice (conference halls and theatres).
b) Concert halls.
c) Sound recording studios. Control rooms.
d) Cinemas.
e) Churches.
f) Home cinema.
g) Classrooms.
h) Music practice rooms.
i) Sports halls.
j) Variable acoustics.

• - Attendance and Participation - 20.0%
• - Individual and/or Group Work - 80.0%

• - Exam - 100.0%

NAO

Barron, M. (2010). Auditorium acoustics and architectural design (2nd ed.). Spon Press.

Beranek, L. (2004). Concert halls and opera houses: Music, acoustics, and architecture (2nd ed.). Springer-Verlag.

Cavanaugh, W. J., Tocci, G. C., & Wilkes, J. A. (2010). Architectural acoustics: Principles and practice (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

Ermann, M. (2015). Architectural acoustics illustrated. John Wiley & Sons.
Kleiner, M., & Tichy, J. (2017). Acoustics of small rooms. Routledge.

Lam, A., Hodgson, M., Prodi, N., & Visentin, C. (2018). Effects of classroom acoustics on speech intelligibility and response time: A comparison between native and non-native listeners. Building Acoustics, 25(1), 35-42.

Long, M. (2014). Architectural acoustics (2nd ed.). Academic Press.

Newhouse, V. (2012). Site and sound: The architecture and acoustics of new opera houses and concert halls. Monacelli Press.

Staples, D. (Ed.). (2021). Modern theatres 1950–2020. Routledge.