A comparative study on indoor soundscape in museum environments

Abstract

The aim of this study is to understand how visitors perceive and compare the soundscapes of different museum environments. To reach this goal, physical parameters as acoustic measurements, and perceptual data as questionnaires and interviews were explored in Rahmi M. Koç Museum, and Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum. Both museums are located near the main gate of Ankara Castle, which is one of the most historic and cultural part of the city. To find out the acoustical parameters of the case study settings, Equivalent Continuous A-weighted Sound Level (LAeq) was measured in-situ with Bruel & Kjaer 2230 sound level meter, and Speech Transmission Index (STI) and Reverberation Time (T30) were measured with the Odeon Room Acoustics Software 13.01. For the perceptual data, the questionnaires were analyzed by using SPSS program. Interviews were analyzed with the Grounded Theory (GT) method to explore the visitors’ perception towards the indoor soundscapes of museum environments. After analyzing the data of interviews, the conceptual framework was created. This process was completed with the ATLAS.ti Software. Results showed that the soundscapes of the indoor environment cannot be explored only with physical parameters. Results showed that visitors’ perception of soundscape changes according to the theme of the museums, and visitors’ preference of sound environment changes according to the building types.