The effects of stage house coupling on multipurpose auditorium acoustics

Abstract

The current scientific research on coupled spaces has augmented the design applications of reverberation chambers and stage house-coupling in music venues in the last couple of decades, and vice-versa the halls that incorporate room acoustics coupling has attracted attention of researchers in the field. Most of the cases, depict the room acoustics coupling from a positive perspective, as the non-exponential energy decay aids clarity and reverberance, which are two simultaneous requirements to satisfy in a music hall. However, not many studies discuss the negative effects of a potential non-exponential energy decay in an auditorium, or a multi-function hall, if not intentionally and carefully utilized. This study aims to highlight the importance of stage tower design in an auditorium, which is aimed to be used dominantly for speech-oriented activities and occasionally to host recitals. The paper initially introduces the acoustical design phases of the auditorium that is within the Ted Ankara Foundation College Performance Art Center. Acoustical simulations are utilized during design phase. The selected auditorium has multiple construction phases, including pre and post acoustical treatment within the stage. Accordingly, field tests are held before and after stage tower acoustical interventions. Collected impulse responses are analyzed by Bayesian decay parameter estimations, in both stages of construction. The discomfort caused by the surplus sound energy within the stage tower, specifically the excessive late coming low frequency sound energy -boomy sound-, are validated by the double-slope sound energy decay within the hall. The desired acoustical comfort could only be provided when the multi-slope sound energy decays are overcome by sound absorptive treatment applications in stage tower and its auxiliary side and back spaces.