Project Overview
This acoustic tuning project is for a university multi-function auditorium in Madrid, Spain. The hall seats 950 people and hosts lectures, theatre performances, fashion presentations and campus events. Original masonry structure with high roof created prominent low-mid frequency standing waves and uneven sound field. Speech intelligibility for lectures was weak, and live performances lacked depth and dynamic range. The university required acoustic systems balancing speech and live performance, Class A fire rated, durable for frequent campus use.
Solution Configuration
- Side walls and rear wall: Grooved & perforated resonant acoustic panel system, filled with mineral wool and built with rear air cavities. Acoustic simulation was used to adjust slot and perforation ratio to target 250–1000Hz standing waves. System NRC reaches 0.90 for balanced full-band absorption for both speech and live sound.
- Ceiling area: High-density fiberglass acoustic ceiling tiles (NRC 0.90–0.95) to control overhead reflection and improve sound field uniformity. All panels hold EN 13501 Class A fire certification, impact-resistant surface for heavy public venue use. Construction was completed during summer holiday break, construction period 34 days.
Project Results
Final acoustic test shows reverberation time falls into the optimal range for combined speech and performance use. Speech intelligibility increased by over 45%. Live stage sound has clear layers and stable low-frequency response. The auditorium can host lectures, plays and shows without temporary supplementary acoustic equipment.
