Guotai Arts and Culture Center

Tisseyre + Associés has 40 years of experience in the acoustics of performance halls, its core business originally. 30 years ago, anticipating the digital revolution and 3D visualization, we developed a tool for 3D models of performance halls: Hall Acoustics^®. Instead of using the sound ray shooting technique which does not take into account the architectural details, we use the finite element mesh technique which allows these details to be modeled with finesse in order to fully integrate them into the acoustic performance. of the room from its conception. Based on the observation that the acoustics of a performance hall are structuring for its architecture, we have developed a joint working methodology with the architect.

Complete room acoustic mission – “all-reflective” solution

Thanks to our 3D modeling tool, Hall Acoustics^®, we can collaborate from the design phase with the architect in order to integrate the acoustic performance of the room into the architecture. Our work therefore does not focus on the dimensioning of a posteriori solutions of acoustic absorbers to attenuate the effects of reverberations. We work with the architect on the choice of shapes and materials used in order to optimize the reverberations so that they contribute to the acoustic performance of the room, which can be summarized as:

• Sound strength, clarity and definition. The sound should be loud, clear and precise.
• The sound envelopment of all spectators. The people in the room feel like they are part of the show: the sound envelops them.

Given the low volume of the room (3,200 m³) and gauge, it was necessary to have a low-diffusing ceiling and wall treatment to ensure a good level of envelopment.

Tailor-made acoustic solutions

The integration of acoustic performance in the performance hall has led us to offer tailor-made solutions for the hall. In particular, we drew, jointly with the architect, the details of the design of the “pebbles” on the ceiling. Their shapes and dimensions are calculated so that the reflection of the sound waves are redirected in the precise directions and thus participate in the optimal acoustic response of the room. As for the wall treatment, it is wooden and angled. The wood has been chosen so that it is slightly diffusing.