Acoustical Design of Two Auditoria Free

Two large auditoria have just been built by the Province of Alberta in the cities of Calgary and Edmonton. Each hall is intended for a variety of uses, who conflicting requirements result in an interesting architectural and acoustical problem. The main auditorium, which seats 2700 persons, is designed for both concert use and large‐scale stage presentations. Surrounding it are facilities for smaller‐scale meetings, exhibitions, conventions, and social gatherings. The acoustical design was done by the Alberta Department of Public Works in consultation with the National Research Council of Canada. This paper will report on the performance of the auditoria as indicated by physical tests and by a test concert. In the design stages extensive sound absorption tests were made in the reverberation chamber on such auditorium components as wall panels, carpets, and occupied and unoccupied theater chairs. Reverberation measurements were also made in the auditoria, as the components were installed. The relation between the two sets of data will be discussed.