Figure 6: Teatro Olimpico, Italy

During the Classical period of Mozart and Beethoven, Music pieces were composed in formal halls. Orchestras and concerts became a thing then. ‘Altes Gewandhaus’ is a structure in Germany that seated about 400 people with the orchestra located on a raised platform at one end occupying about one quarter of the floor space. The room had a reverberation time of about Figure 6: Teatro Olimpico, Italy 1.3 seconds and was lined with wood paneling, which reduced the bass build up.

Shoebox Halls: Several orchestral halls were constructed in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries that were known for their fine acoustics and for their influence on later buildings. They are all of the shoebox type with high ceilings, multiple diffusing surfaces, and a relatively low seating capacity. The oldest is the ‘Stadt Casino in Basel’ in Switzerland, which was completed in 1776.

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4.3 Evolution of Modern Acoustics

In the 19th century, the beginning of acoustics as a science study started. Books were written and experiments were carried out. The planning of the Boston Music Hall, now called Symphony Hall, was made using a shoebox shape and heavy plaster construction with a modest ceiling height to maintain a reverberation time of 1.8 seconds. Narrow side and rear balconies were used to avoid shadow zones. The stage was enclosed with angled walls and ceiling for better sound. The deeply coffered ceiling and wall niches containing classical statuary helped provide excellent diffusion.

In the 20th century, the development of electroacoustic devices like microphones, amplifiers, loudspeakers, and other electronic instruments flourished. The precision, which is now available in the ability to record and reproduce sound, has created an excellent experience for the user that is difficult to match in a live performance. With more knowledge on acoustical materials, and other acoustic related studies design just keeps getting better by the day.

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5.Literature study

5.1 History and Auditorium Design around the world.

Barron, M. (2010). Auditorium Acoustics and Architectural Design. 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN. Spon Press. In this study, the author describes Auditorium acoustics in detail. The book consists of a detailed analysis of various definitions related to acoustics and architectural acoustics. Also, it contains broad information about absorption of sound in relation to various examples of structures in the past.

The author talks about various definitions that play an important role in architectural acoustics. Sound and rooms are the major elements where he talks about sound propagation, reflections, and acoustical defects. Acoustics in symphony concert halls and the development of these halls with respect to size, volume, form, modelling, diffusion solutions and how a fan shape hall can work in most cases. He describes case studies of various concert halls in Britain. Barron also emphasizes on acoustics in speech- How open-air theatres work while understanding aspects of speech. Acoustics for theatres, operas and multipurpose uses consists of multiple elements of acoustics and space that work hand in hand.

The author recommends multiple aspects of architecture design in auditoria acoustics for multipurpose uses.

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5.2 Auditorium design details.

Long, M. (2006). Architectural Acoustics. USA. Elsevier Academic Press. In this book, the author talks about multiple aspects of architecture design in terms of acoustics. This study plays a crucial role in building this topic research. The author talks about various fundamentals involved in acoustics- history, definitions, human perceptions to different spaces and sounds. He focuses on sound in terms of surfaces and sounds in enclosed spaces and multiple sound systems. Sound attenuation takes place in ducts, and mechanical systems. The author talks about various environmental noises like aircraft and traffic noise and how these noises affect sound quality inside the spaces. He also emphasizes on the design criteria for multipurpose auditoria and sanctuaries that cover areas like shape, size, capacity, etc.

This study helps in understanding the specialized design problems in walls, ceilings, platforms, pit design and their solutions.

5.3 Auditorium planning and ancillary spaces in an auditorium.

Adler, D. (1999). Architectural Acoustics Metric Handbook Planning and Design Data. Oxford. Architectural Press. This book consists of multiple sections. The first section that is useful for this research is about Auditoria by Ian Appleton and Joe Aveline. In this book, they have done a detailed study of the planning aspects of auditoria. A detailed study about seating, access, auditorium design in terms of shape, size, sight lines, furniture, escape routes, handrails, etc. Theatres, studio theatres, concert halls, conference rooms, multipurpose auditoria, and other support facilities have been detailed out in terms of planning.

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Also, details about stage planning and related spaces like changing rooms, scene docks, loading bays, equipment for sound and lighting, etc. They have recommended solutions to design restraints in terms of auditorium design and planning. The other section focuses on community centres and their design by Jim Tanner, who very well expresses elements of design in community centres where he focuses on barrier free design elements for everyone- elderly, disabled, children of all ages and so on. Areas such as halls, entrances, kitchen, toilets, storage, furniture are some areas where he has shed some light. Both these sections help in learning more about auditoria and considering every minute details along with spatial planning of ancillary activities in the convention and exhibition centre which is for a community.

5.4 Base theatre design.

Harris Group Inc, Base Theatre Design Standards.

This article talks about how functional diversity, building exteriors, auditoria with backstage support in an air combat command at Virginia, USA work. It consists of information on the capacity of people and space design standards accordingly. It has calculations done by experts, catchment area drawings, exit requirements, ceiling configurations, curtains, stage panels, etc. Also, a very detailed material study has been done explaining finishes from paint, tiles, wall coverings, ceilings, etc.

This study shall help me review materials used and get information for 500-1000 capacity seating in an auditorium.

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6.Methodolgy and Scope

6.1 Methodology

This study of the report, its findings and recommendations shall use multiple aspects of previous studies done by great scholars in the field. Multiple factors are necessary to examine the several design ideas of auditoria, which vary in most cases due to multiple approaches. The core methodologies used in generating the data underlying the findings of this report are: research from papers and books, review of these studies and other relevant literature, and case studies found online. With the help of quantitative and qualitative data available online and through books, the research is a cumulative data collected by various other people. The data is collected through gathering observations.

6.2 Scope

The scope of this study is to understand Auditorium Acoustic and how it works in a convention and exhibition centre. This study shall glance through aspects related to form, shape, volume, materials, size, etc. of an auditorium. It shall also help in providing innovative design techniques

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