Acoustics and Architecture

Many times while designing, designers and architects need to keep acoustics in mind. This is because sometimes sound may not be desired in certain areas or sound is needed to project.

For obvious reasons, when designing a theatre acoustics is a huge player in the building’s design. Sound from the stage needs to reach the entire audience. If there is going to be an area for a band then what ever noise the band makes needs to project as well. This is true as well for Churches. Churches are usually built so that if someone were to speak at the front of the building their voice will project easily towards the back of the church.

In other cases design is implemented to keep a room or space quiet. In some cases, as sound projects it starts to bounce off walls and other surfaces and can bounce into a space were it is not desired. In side of domes, sound can sounds in many different directions. Architects will sometimes place sound barriers in domes so sound waves won’t travel along its surface.