In an ongoing research project the design of acoustical atmospheres in large indoor spaces are investigated. The research question is: “How to redesign one sonic atmosphere into a variation of sub-atmospheres in large indoor spaces?” This question is especially valid for spaces such as semi-public commercial spaces (e.g. shopping malls), libraries, airports and communication spaces. The sonic atmosphere in these collective spaces is often loud, blurred and confusing, with little correspondence between visual and aural perception, and with weak articulations of spatial dimension, distance, borders and orientation. Together the different sound sources within these spaces generate a sonic hubbub. Even though such spaces comprise of several types of activities, the sonic atmosphere is the same all over the place.
Hence, this research project focuses on design of sonic variations of the atmosphere; i.e., site specific sounds that deal with qualities such as communication, comfort, orientation, identity and privacy. The objective is to develop and test an interdisciplinary design methodology, which comprises a number of co-related methods; e.g. acoustic measurements, architectural site analysis, as well as virtual modeling and representation (visual and acoustic) of the space. The main part of the project is the virtual modeling and representation. It connects software that handles architectural 3D-modelling (SketchUp) with the Catt-Acoustic software, used for prediction and auralization.
The research project also includes a case-study, which comprises proposals for redesign of a congress centre (Scandic Infra City), situated north of Stockholm. The proposals –consisting of architectural elements, sound installations (additions of sounds) as well as acoustical measures – will be demonstrated in a virtual model. The presumed effect is a differentiation in terms of a variety of sonic sub-atmospheres within the congress centre. The methodology developed in the project is intended to function as a tool for design measures of large indoor spaces. It is an interdisciplinary tool in that it supports acousticians as well as architects. The case-study may serve as a pilot model for future applications of redesign of the sonic atmosphere in large indoor spaces.
This paper is a result of a research project, executed by the acoustic consultancy company ÅF-Ingemansson and the University College of Arts, Crafts & Design (Konstfack), Stockholm. The project has funding from the White’s Foundation for research and ARKUS, a Swedish foundation for the improvement of qualifications within architecture.