the

calvary
convention
centre .
The Calvary Convention
Centre (CCC) is a distinctive
convention centre that is
dedicated to the pursuit of
holistic activities.

BUILDING SCIENCE II ARC3413

AUDITORIUM : A CASE STUDY

ON ACOUSTIC DESIGN

Tutor : Ar. Edwin Chan

Chong Hao Foong 0322343

Chung How Cyong 0324152
Foo Ji Sun 0323550
Tang Fu Hong 0323092
Tan Yan Jie 0323906
Teh Wei Hong 0323743
Teoh Zhe Kai 0322905
Thomas Ting Shii Kai 0323962
 introduction

Name of Auditorium: Calvary Convention Centre

Location: Jalan Jalil Perkasa 1, Taman Teknologi Malaysia,

57000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

Type of Auditorium: Speech-based Auditorium, Holistic-

driven events

Total Built Up Area: 600,000 square feet

Year of Completed: 2013

Total Seats: 5,000 seat auditorium, with upholstered tip-up

theatre seat covered of 2,965 square metre and timber
padded retractable tip-up seat of 420 square metre.
 TWIN ARKZ RESIDENTIAL
CONDOMINIUM AREA

site plan

CALVARY
CONVENTION
CENTRE

GAS STATIONS
drawings .
Architectural drawings such as the
floor plans and sections were kindly
provided to us by the architects at
T.R. Hamzah & Yeang Sdn. Bhd.
 23990
83
30
36
05
0

8000
plan
 112800

12820 85900 26900

45800
40590

24320
section
audio
equipments .
Equipments installed in auditorium to
produce audio output that can be
heard by the listener.
 equipments specification

L-Acoustics
P-Series 112P
Maximum SPL (Sound Pressure
Level), measured at 1m under
free field conditions is 133 dB.

L-Acoustics
L-Acoustics ARCS Focus
P-Series 108P Maximum peak SPL,
Maximum peak SPL, measured at 1m under
measured at 1m under free field conditions is
free field conditions is 139 dB.
125 dB.
 equipment placement

There are three types of speakers used in the auditorium and all of them
are under a same brand, L-Acoustics.

L-Acoustics L-Acoustics L-Acoustics

P-Series 112P
The four P-Series 112P located
on the stage are used as stage
monitors. Stage monitors are
used whereby the performers
are able to listen to other
instruments as well as their
own voices.
ARCS Focus
The ARC Focus is a line array
loudspeaker system that is
purposed to project sound to
the back of the auditorium.
P-Series 108P
P-Series 108P is used to
project sound towards the
front 4 seating rows because
the ARC Focus sets are unable
to reach the 4 rows stated and
used as compensate for that
matter.
acoustical
analysis .
Design of the auditorium affects the
effects of the final acoustic result.
 shape and massing
The shape of the auditorium is a unique variation of the horseshoe-type
hall with a combination of both curved and flat walls. The walls are flat at
the front of the hall but gradually curve into a concave shape as it leads to
the rear.
 levelling of seats and stage
Correct levelling of the auditorium seats ensures that sound waves reach
all the occupants of the auditorium without obstruction. The seats
configuration of the CCC auditorium is very effective in bridging the
relationship between the audience and the speaker on the stage.
 arrangement of seats
The seating arrangement in the auditorium is in a fan-shaped
configuration to allow greater seating area that is closer to the stage.
This allows louder and clearer sound quality to be heard throughout
the hall.
 layout of boundary surface
The auditorium implements a combination of concave shaped and
stepped ceiling systems that reflect the sound back down to the
audience. The concave shape also helps concentrate the sound
intensity and increase the volume of the sound.
 materials and properties
The materials can be divided into absorbent or reflector, depending on
their Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating, where the most
reflective is 0 and most absorbent is 1. Designers have to balance their
choice of materials to achieve the desired level of reverberation time.

ROCKWOOL
30mm, 200 kg/m3 over 300mm Air Gap

HEAVY CURTAIN
PLYWOOD hung in fold against solid wall

THEATRE SEAT hardwood panels over 25mm airspace

upholstered tip-up
PLASTERBOARD
decorative element
 materials and properties
The materials can be divided into absorbent or reflector, depending on
their Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating, where the most
reflective is 0 and most absorbent is 1. Designers have to balance their
choice of materials to achieve the desired level of reverberation time.

THICK PILED CARPERT

heavy on Reinforced Concrete

TIMBER FLOORING
TIMBER PADDED on joist

retractable Tip-up Seat

acoustic
treatment and
components .
The equipment installed in the
auditorium along with the selected
materials provides better acoustic
experience.
 stage flooring
The stage uses timber flooring to reduce the noise transmission to
tolerable levels. An acoustic layer is usually laid under the timber veneer
flooring to absorb the sound waves to a certain degree.

Timber flooring reduce

noise transmission

Acoustic layer under timber

flooring absorb sound waves,
reduce vibrations, and lower
sound frequencies

laminated finishing
veneer timber
acoustic underlayment material
concrete slab
 carpet flooring
Thick carpeted flooring contributes to sound absorption. Carpet is an
outstanding sound absorber which serves as an acoustical aid, as well as
a floor cover.

Outstanding sound absorber

Absorb airborne noise efficiently

Rubber underlay further

improves absorption

Stairs wrapped with carpet to

reduce footstep noise

timber veneer
rubber layer

concrete
 wall panel
The walls of the auditorium feature a concave shape- a form that is
advantageous when used in the context of our building. Concave
surfaces have the tendency to reflect and concentrate sound waves to
the centre of its projection.

Due to massive scale,

surfaces are covered with
absorptive material to reduce
reverberation

Surface of wall is fabric,

followed by sponge, plywood,
and rockwool
 ceiling (gypsum board)
Ceiling panels are made of gypsum board as their smooth surfaces help
in sound reflection. They also provide for acoustical intimacy,
atmosphere, and strengthens the overall sound quality.

Made of gypsum board

Suspended from the ceiling to

shorten delayed reflective
sound

Stepped ceiling form reduces

reverberation
 seating
The cushioned chairs not only provide viewers with comfort, it is
also an excellent sound absorbent, which helps reduce the overall
reverberation time in the auditorium.

Cushioned seats are

sound absorbent

Reduce reverberation time

sound
propagations
and related
phenomena .
Architectural acoustics refers to the
relationship between sound produced
in a space and its listeners, of
particular concern in the design of
concert halls and auditoriums.
 sound propagation without aid of speaker
Sound travelling forward towards the audience is known as direct sound.
Next, sound travelling upwards is either reflected or absorbed. There are
two ceiling surfaces, the upper ceiling surface that is heavily insulated and
the lower ceiling surface consisting of acoustic panels.

direct sound reflected sound

 sound concentration

The measurement of the Sound Intensity Level (SIL) from the sound
source, shows that a distinct sound concentration zone can be found
at the centre-back of the auditorium.

51db
54db

61db

53db 59db 63db

62db

55db
51db
 sound concentration
Despite the (inefficient) coverage of acoustic paneling on virtually every
wall surface in the auditorium. The curvilinear form of the auditorium still
has a detrimental acoustic quality that creates auditory foci within,
amplifying sound in specific areas.
 sound reflection

In order to make the use of sound more efficient, it is necessary for the
sound to be reflected back towards the audience. Reflections must be
carefully controlled to minimize the creation of echoes.

REFLECTED
REFLECTED SOUND
SOUND
REFLECTED
SOUND
C
B
A DIRECT DIRECT DIRECT
SOUND SOUND
SOUND

Shows sound propagation towards Shows sound propagation towards Shows sound propagation towards
Point A. Point B. Point C.

absorbent materials reflective materials

Ceiling reflectors serve to reflect sound effectively back to the

audience. Therefore, the rest of the auditorium must be covered with
sound absorbent materials to minimize the resultant reflected sound,
making it almost indiscernible.
 echoes and time delay

Echo also can define as the nature of the programme influences the
desired sound delay period. For speech-based auditorium, any sound
delay above 40ms will be considered as an echo.

16m
17m
16m 18m 31m C 56m
45m

21m
B 40m
A DIRECT DIRECT DIRECT
SOUND SOUND
SOUND

Shows a time delay of 38.2ms in Shows a time delay of 23.5ms in Shows a time delay of 17.6ms in
Point A. Point B. Point C.

TIME DELAY TIME DELAY TIME DELAY

= (16m + 18m) - 21m = (17m + 31m) - 40m = (16m + 45m) - 56m
0.34 0.34 0.34
= 13m = 8m = 6m
0.34 0.34 0.34
= 38.2ms = 23.5ms = 17.6ms
# # #
reverberation
time .
In acoustics, reverberation is the
persistence of sound after a sound is
produced.
 reverberation time

Based on the materials identified on site and the

measurements obtained from the drawings, we were
able to calculate the absorption of each surface and
determine the total room absorption of the auditorium.
 Absorption Absorption of
Materials Area (m2) Coefficient, Surface, as
α (Sabins) (m2 Sabins)

Thick Piled Carpet, Heavy on 3295 0.50 1647.50

Reinforced Concrete
Timber Floor on Joists 115 0.10 11.50
Heavy Curtain, Hung in Fold 465 0.55 255.75
Against Solid Wall
Rockwool 30mm, 200 kg/m3 over 1675 0.85 1507.50
300mm Air Gap
Acoustic Timber Wall Panelling 2480 0.42 1041.60
Plywood, Hardwood Panels over 220 0.15 33
25mm Airspace
Plasterboard on Battens, 18mm 2480 0.15 372
Airspace
6mm Panel Glass 100 0.03 3
Upholstered Tip-Up 2965 0.64 1897.60
Theatre Seat
Timber Padded Retractable Tip-Up 420 0.15 63
Seat

Total Room Absorption, AT (m2 Sabins) 6832.45

As told by the architect from T.R. Hamzah
and Yeang Sdn. Bhd., the reverberation
time of Calvary Convention Centre

is approximately calculated
0.9s reverberation
time .
Sabine Formula: V = Volume, m3 = 39136.60 m3
AT = Total Room Absorption, m2 sabins
= 6832.45 m2 sabins
0.16v
RT = RT = 0.16V

AT AT

= 0.16 (39136.60)
where: 6832.45
RT = reverberation time (sec)
V = volume of the room (cu.m) = 0.91 ≈ 0.9s
AT = total absorption of room
surfaces (sq.m sabins)
conclusion .
Based on analysis and calculation.
 conclusion

To sum up a conclusion from our accumulated findings and

subsequent analysis, Calvary Convention Centre has the
flexibility to cater both demands for speeches and music
performances. A multipurpose auditorium with the capacity of
having 5,000 occupants, situated on a disproportionate land
area with a well-considered tropical climate design strategies.

Isolation by air gaps and restructuring of systems is

employed to overcome noise emanating from outside and the
inside. Smart choice of materials aids the noise control and
creates conducive environment for event hosting.
Nevertheless, consideration of the type and position of
loudspeakers used is vital for acoustical control. Calvary
Convention Centre has successfully achieved an optimum
reverberation time of 0.9s for a speech-based auditorium.

Last but not least, we were able to truly understand and

appreciate a full scope on acoustics for our case study,
Calvary Convention Centre. In a short period of time, enabled
us to understand how different types of designs and their
acoustical treatments influence the sound efficiency and the
overall user experiences.
THANK
YOU
!