Acoustical design consideration for the new IFEZ concert hall

Abstract

The design of a new concert hall for the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Arts Center in Korea is in progress. The hall is supposed to be the home of the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra. It has over 1,700 seats, including 150 choirs. A vineyard seating arrangement will be applied, but the seats around stage area will be minimized in order to form a solid stage enclosure. Lateral walls are designed for each seating block to increase acoustical intimacy. Average width between lateral walls has been designed to be less than 15 m, and every seat is arranged within 7.5 m to the closest lateral wall. All lateral walls are designed to be inclined to lead first reflections and to improve spatial impression at the audience area. Diffusers are functionally installed to the effective reflecting surfaces from the source on stage. The design considerations are investigated through both computer simulation and scale modeling.