Matthew Lin: Acoustic Research

1. Sound travels in the form of waves, where vibrations move through the air in a space.  When it comes to considering sound in space design, the designer needs to consider how the soundwaves will change when they touch the walls, the floor, the ceiling, the fixtures in space, and even the people themselves in the space.  To address this issue, different materials and different surface geometries alter how the soundwaves travel through the space.

2. As sound is projected from one point in the space, different materials throughout the space focus the sound to one point or they further project to other parts of the space. Materials such as metal plating, which has a very hard, smooth surface, reflects sound outwards.  Materials such as foam absorb sound due to its varied surface.  In terms of geometry, the same applies.  Generally, concave forms focus incoming sound to one point while convex forms reflect sound outwards.

3. In music, the frequency determines the pitch of the sound.  A higher frequency determines a higher pitch, while a lower frequency creates a lower pitch.  This is shown in string instruments.  When the fingering for the note on a string is closer to where the bow moves across the string, the note is higher because the string does not have as much room to oscillate as much.  When the finger presses on the string at a place further away from the bow, the note is lower because there is more of the string available to oscillate and to create sound waves.

4. Acoustics are just as important to the space as circulation or lighting, because hearing is as important of a sense as sight or touch.  To address acoustics, the architecture must define a starting point for the sound.  From that starting point, the architecture dictates paths where the sound can travel.  Sound mainly moves along the walls and ceiling, and the materials accompanied with geometry either augments or diminishes the frequencies.  Hard, smooth surfaces can be beneficial in making the sound louder, but too much reverberation can make the listener's experience painful.  Sound absorption is sometimes needed to remove excess reverberation in order to hear the lower frequency sounds in the space.  At times, the designer may want to concentrate sound to a particular location, and with digital fabrication, the surface geometries can redirect all the sound waves to the specific spot.  Other tools that are used to address the issue of acoustics are mainly computer programs such as ODEON, which provides prediction software for sound.

5.

The Flint Center at De Anza Community College is a prime example of these stated concepts regarding acoustics in a theater space.  The biggest feature about this space is its massive openness.  In the top image, there is a direct line of sight from the top balcony to the stage below.  With nothing in between, the sound travels freely without obstructions.  The bays on the side trap the passing sound, providing ample noise for those sitting in them.  Lastly, the ceiling is lined with wooden planks that run perpendicular to the stage, creating vertical channels that allow sound to move linearly through them.  This design decision helps the sound travel throughout the entire length of the space, providing clear sound for everyone in the space.