Assignment 5 Nahyung Kim

There are many factors related to the acoustics of a space. Components of a space, walls, floor, and the ceiling, are all very important in how sound works. The acoustic performance depends on the shape, size, proportion, and surface conditions of these components. Doors and other openings are also important in blocking out unwanted noise.
Sound reflections depend on the surface shape. A flat ceiling and a curved ceiling distributes sound differently in a closed space (usually, a curved surface does a better job in evenly distributing sound). Doors and other openings are also important in blocking out unwanted noise. Absorbing sound is as important as reflecting them. The critical places to consider are side walls that are the closest to the screen/speakers. Noise transmission between theaters and between the theater and other programmatic spaces can be solved with methods of absorbing sound through tightly sealed openings and materials.
Professionals talk about sound waves when dealing with acoustics. They discuss sound waves in its "frequency," which is how humans perceive sound. In physics, acoustic wave equation is used to calculate and deal with sound waves and acoustic performance. The equation describes "acoustic pressure," which is the deviation caused by sound waves from the ambient atmospheric pressure, the particle velocity, in relation to position and time.
Architects deal with acoustics when designing a space through different tools and programs. A program architects may use is called "Listen," which is a 3D modeling aural simulation tool. Grasshopper plug-in, Revit, and other 3D modeling tools are also widely used. Architects refer to professional rules like the THX criterias to make sure the designed space meets the requirements that allow for the best audience experience.

LMN Architects - University of Iowa School of Music (ceiling canopy)

 The ceiling canopy designed by LMN Architects is composed of 946 uniquely laced and suspended panels. These panels serve many functions like: sprinklers, theatrics, acoustics, lighting, speakers, and sculptural (hiding the structural elements). The different degrees of openings in the panels determine what function each panel serves (70% enclosure hides sprinklers). LMN Architects used parametric modeling and CNC milling (for study models) in order to bring and transmit sound as quickly to the audience as possible.

Sources:
http://www.acousticsbydesign.com/venues/cinema-acoustics.htm
http://sensingarchitecture.com/1403/architectural-acoustics-a-simulation-tool-video/
Wikipedia - architectural acoustics, acoustic wave equation

Assignment 5: acoustic research

Given the number of projects that require special attention to sound control from concert halls to offices, plus the fact that conventional construction of floors, walls, and ceilings is often inadequate for controlling unwanted sound, design professionals benefit from knowledge of the principles of sound, plus methods for its control.
here are some basic facts about acoustics that i have picked up through the years.

Sound travels in waves. In solid building materials, it progresses as vibration. Building materials, such as stud walls, glass windows and concrete floors vibrate at a variety of frequencies when excited by sound or vibration. What we hear are fluctuations in air pressure produced by the vibrating surfaces.The application of acoustical finish materials or the design of a floor/ceiling assembly will depend on the frequencies needing to be controlled.

The application of acoustical finish materials or the design of a floor/ceiling assembly will depend on the frequencies needing to be controlled.

Low frequency (longer) sound waves are difficult to control with standard building materials.

Sound reflection in a room can be compared to light reflection. Light reflects most brightly from light colored or mirrored finishes. Sound reflects with little energy loss from hard surfaces like concrete or gypsum board. A soft surface such as carpet or curtains (dark surfaces for light) will not reflect as much sound.

Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) represents sound energy absorbed.

Absorption Coefficient (α) describes ability of material to absorb sound.

tradition acoustic wall paneling With its variety of shaped edges and panel thicknesses, the traditional acoustical wall panel offers design versatility and a solution for controlling reverberant noise while also controlling sound reflections in the room. Fiberglass core acoustical panels faced in fabric or vinyl can be placed on the walls or ceiling. Typically they are fabricated from 6-7 PCF fiberglass board with edges chemically hardened for durability. Maximum panel sizes are typically 4 ft. x 10 ft. Angled or contoured perimeter cut custom shapes can be specified. A 2 in. thick panel typically has an NRC value of 1.00

Reflective design in an auditorium or lecture hall. Ceiling and wall shaping directs sound to mid and rear seating areas.

Curved acoustical reflectors direct and diffuse sound to the seating area of the auditorium.

In a diffuse sound field sound level is uniform in all locations and from all directions.

Specular sound reflections off of flat wall and ceiling surfaces often produce inconsistent poor acoustic quality throughout the listening space;

 Strategies for controlling in-room noise include surface finish treatments such as acoustical panels that reflect, absorb and diffuse sound for a range of applications such as concert halls, swimming pools and auditoriums. Wall, floor and ceiling architectural framing designs that incorporate sound isolation products play a major role in controlling sound between rooms. 

Assignment 5 (Acoustic Research) - Charmaine Y

For most of architecture, architects are primarily concerned with how a building looks or what the occupants' visual experiences is when they navigate through a space.  But in cinema and theater design, architects have to focus on something that is not visible but still directly affects how the occupant experiences the space - acoustics.  Traditionally people who have designed with acoustics in mind have focused on live music for orchestra and other classical arts events.  But now in modern cinemas, speakers and surround sounds stereo systems are mostly used to enhance the auditory experience.  In addition to this, acoustic designers design the physical space of the theater to enhance the auditory experience.  For example, certain forms are designed to enhance characteristics of acoustic reverberation. 

Apart from the physical form, the placement of acoustic panels and speakers also changes how people hear sounds in different areas of the space.  Different genres of movies also require different acoustic experiences and speakers are programmed to play different aspects of the sound track in different locations during different genres or scenes of movies.  Architects must take into account where people sit within the space and where the sound sources are as well as what kind of experience they wish for people to have in the space they design.