Acoustic treatment of portals in sequential space museum environments
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Authors
Messinger, Kevin, Hugh
Issue Date
2025-08
Type
Electronic thesis
Thesis
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Architecture
Alternative Title
Abstract
Museums have a unique problem in that they consist of multipurpose non-acoustic sequential spaces connected sonically by large open doorways (portals). Yet both in terms of architectural design and functionality, room acoustics in museums have direct and measured effects on visitors enjoyment and experience. Because of the varied nature of museum room purpose and need, sound separation between rooms is crucial in maintaining the contextual and expectational limits of the room which may limit distracting or disruptive experience. This study seeks to measure the efficacy of portal acoustic treatment in limiting sound transmission in large volume sequential museum spaces to improve acoustic metrics of distraction. Sound-field modeling in Treble is employed using geometric and wave methods, in order to examine the effects of portal treatment through semi-enclosure, torqued semi-enclosure, and occluder apparatuses. Objective measures in accordance with ISO 3382-3 of distraction distance, spatial decay rate of unamplified speech, sound pressure level of unamplified speech at 4 meters, reverberation time, clarity, and A-weighted sound pressure level, were calculated under absorptive and reflective room treatment conditions. Results show strong increases in spatial decay rate of speech, sharp decreases in level of speech at 4 m and A-weighted SPL for every portal treatment, with effects most pronounced when applying occluding and torqued semi-enclosures. Future study involves in-situ testing of acoustic parameters of distraction and perceptual study of effects of portal treatment on subjective distraction metrics.
Description
August2025
School of Architecture
School of Architecture
Full Citation
Publisher
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY