Acoustical design for remodeling of the little theatre in Sejong Performing Arts Center

Abstract

The Little theater in Sejong Performing Arts Center is a proscenium theater with 447 seats, which was built in 1978. The remodeling of the theater was decided in 2005 and acoustical design was conducted. Design guidelines were suggested based on the feasibility studies and acoustical measurement results. Target reverberation time was set at 1.2-1.6 s. For the acoustical design, side balconies were added to increase the level of lateral reflections and intimacy. Acoustic diffusers were designed and scattering coefficients were measured in a 1:10 reverberation chamber. And the effect of diffusers in the auditorium was also investigated using 1:25 scale model hall measurement. From the results of computer simulation and a 1:25 scale model measurement, it was indicated that the new space will have RT of 1.2-1.6 s in middle frequencies when fully occupied.