The Guangdong University of Technology Gymnasium is a medium-sized multi-purpose sports facility, serving as a hub for sports competitions, gatherings, and cultural performances. With a total floor area of approximately 2,190 square meters, the gymnasium consists of a main sports hall and a stage area. The main sports hall has an effective volume of about 41,800 cubic meters, with a total indoor surface area of 12,070 square meters. It boasts fixed seating for 1,828 spectators and features a roof constructed of structural steel with colored steel plate roofing. The gymnasium's layout is rectangular, with walls, ceilings, and floors parallel to each other. To ensure its functionality, the venue required appropriate acoustic qualities, including clear speech intelligibility and controlled reverberation, to provide an optimal auditory experience.
Acoustic Design Solution for Guangdong University of Technology Gymnasium
1. Ceiling
Given that hardwood flooring is typically used in sports arenas and can cause strong sound reflections, the gymnasium's ceiling was designed to incorporate sound-absorbing materials or structures to mitigate echo interference. Based on the original gymnasium design, the acoustic solution involved installing sound-absorbing elements below the roof trusses.
2. Wall Surfaces
The walls are pivotal in the architectural design of a sports facility. To avoid a monotonous and rigid appearance, the gymnasium hall walls were designed using slotted perforated acoustic panels, creating a modern, clean, and elegant aesthetic while offering consistent absorption characteristics across a broad frequency range.
(1) Targeted Acoustic Treatment
Due to budget constraints, the acoustic treatment was specifically focused on surfaces that significantly influenced the sound field. Recommendations included the installation of slotted perforated acoustic panels on the rear wall of the audience hall, both sides of the second-floor walls, and the walls surrounding the sports arena, covering an area of 1,300 square meters.
(2) Window Curtains
To address the issue of glass windows that were prevalent on both sides and the rear wall of the audience hall, where the smooth glass surfaces were prone to creating flutter echoes, it was essential to install curtains with strong sound-absorbing properties, ensuring an optimal acoustic environment.
By implementing these acoustic design solutions, the Guangdong University of Technology Gymnasium now offers an enhanced auditory experience for sports events, gatherings, and cultural performances, showcasing how thoughtful acoustic design can elevate the functionality and appeal of multi-purpose venues.
