Advanced Acoustic Modelling & Simulation
Undertaken By Experienced Practitioners In Acoustic Design
Advanced Acoustic Modelling & Acoustic Design
The advent of computer simulation and visualisation techniques for acoustic design and analysis has made predictions much more accurate and the results spectacular. Advanced modelling of room acoustics is done through the production of a 3D CATT (Computer-Aided Theatre Technique) model, application of material acoustic properties to all surfaces, and a ray-tracing algorithm. At low frequencies, sound has to be considered as a spherically propagating wave which is incredibly computationally intensive. At mid-high frequencies, sound can be considered as a ray, similar to a beam of light. This is where the possibilities of acoustics modelling are realised.
Modelling Acoustic Signature
Depending on where sound sources (singers, loudspeakers, etc.) and receivers (audience, microphones, etc.) in the room are anticipated, virtual sound rays are sent out in all directions, bouncing off every surface. The signal at virtual microphones within the model is used to extract the acoustic “signature” of the space and determine its quality.
The range of parameters considered to contribute to excellent acoustics in auditoria is large. Consideration must be taken for Reverberation Time, Early Decay Time, Early to Late Energy Ratio, Clarity, Lateral Energy Fraction, Source Strength (G), and Speech Intelligibility.
The balancing of these parameters is a subtle process and is based on the experience of listening to and measuring completed auditoria. Each hall will have a slightly different “signature”.
Here at Gillieron Scott Acoustic Design we have modelled over 50 auditoria including
- The Bridge Theatre in London
- The Everyman Theatre in Liverpool
- The Roundhouse in London
- The Olympic 2012 Velodrome
- The Saffron Hall in Saffron Walden
- Nazrin Shah in Worcester College (Oxford)
- Jesus College in Cambridge
- Wells Cathedral School in Wells and many more Acoustic Projects In London & Nationwide.
The results obtained during commissioning have been very encouraging showing an accurate correlation between prediction and actual results.
British Standard BS4142 Assessments
The standard method for assessing the impact of plant noise is laid out in BS4142 and requires the measurement of the existing noise environment to be carried out over several days, then the proposed sources of noise assessed to demonstrate they will not cause noise levels to increase at nearby sensitive receptors. Advanced Acoustic Modelling can help us determine the impact of new sources of noise before they’re put into operation, allowing proactive management of noise as opposed to reactive.
With the combination of Professional Planning Guidance (Propg) and British Standards such as BS8233 for Acoustic Design we’re able to apply our acoustic consulting experience to your project with the highest levels of regulatory & planning compliance.
“Haworth Tompkins have been working on major cultural projects with Paul Gillieron and his team continuously for over 20 years…trust not only their technical knowledge but also their deep empathy with performance and their innate understanding of what makes auditoria not just analytically correct but emotionally and experientially vivid. They are a studio with acute vision, a big heart, and a rock-solid set of values.”
Haworth Tomkins
