Sound is a wave, a vibration of pressure that travels through a medium. The medium determines not only how the wave behaves as well as how humans perceive it as. Acoustic features in architecture allow for sound to be legible and allow for good sound in a given room, building. Changing the acoustics in a room allow for a difference in the mood and is often necessary depending on the use of the space. For example recording booths have to provide a space that keeps noise from the outside out while it has to maintain the sounds created in the room at the highest quality possible. Another example are coffee shops where the acoustics of the room should allow for conversation while not removing all the surrounding noise.
Materials is a major factor that affect acoustics. Materials dictate how much sound can pass through, gets absorbed or gets reflected. The shape of the space can also factor in acoustics. Curved walls can help direct the direction in which sound is bounced back. Allowing a curved shape will allow more sound to viewer thus creating a more vibrant and fuller sound.
The auditorium in the Viipuri Library by Alvar Aalto has an undulating ceiling design. Alvar Aalto through many studies of sound created this design which allows for a greater spread of sound throughout the space.
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