Design of an architectural acoustical treatment incorporating reused cotton clothing: an experimental evaluation and case study

Abstract

The natural acoustics within a room is often overlooked or ignored when determining the functional use of the space. The electrical, ventilation, structural, and architectural requirements, as well as other key engineering disciplines, have long been incorporated into building construction industry standards for proper building design. However, acoustics, sound insulation, and noise control are also quickly becoming dominant design issues in certain building types. This increase in attention to acoustics has generated not only the recognition of well-designed and constructed new buildings, but also an awareness of the lack of desirable acoustics in existing buildings and aging structures. Although there are many different types of acoustical related problems facing the building construction industry, this paper focuses solely on the natural acoustics within large reverberant spaces. The goal of this research is to develop a cost effective and environmentally minded solution for controlling the build-up of reverberant sound energy in these acoustically "live" spaces. This paper also includes a case study of the King Intermediate School and of how the application of the solution developed herein would benefit the multipurpose gymnasium, currently existing as a very large and excessively reverberant space.