Acoustic Correction of a Renaissance Period Hall

Abstract

Medieval and Renaissance halls are often used for musical events or conferences. These rooms have vaulted ceilings, while the surfaces are covered with plaster and marble. The acoustics of these places are not optimal for listening to musical performances or conferences. To make these environments acoustically usable, an acoustic correction must be made. A room built during the Renaissance period used for cultural events was considered as case study. From the acoustic measurements, it results that at mid-frequencies the reverberation time is about 4.5 seconds. The evaluation of the acoustic correction was carried out with a software for the architectural acoustics. The virtual model was analyzed first in the initial configuration and then with the insertion of sound-absorbing panels on the walls and under the ceiling with the vault. Subsequently, the acoustic correction was performed by installing sound-absorbing panels in the room. Acoustic measurements were taken with this new configuration, in the absence of the public, and the reverberation time at the mid-frequencies was reduced to 2.0 seconds as presented in the design project.