Trade fair and multi-purpose centres are places designed to host a wide variety of events, such as large exhibitions, conferences and congresses, concerts and naturally, trade fairs. These multifunctional and large spaces present acoustic problems mainly due to their architectural characteristics: the combination of large volumes, high ceilings and reflective surfaces create the ideal conditions for excessive reverberation.
Let us consider a specific case: an exhibition and event space with a volume of 7,751 m³. Reverberation times before the intervention reached 7.62 s, a very high value, making the room acoustically unsuitable for any kind of event.
To improve the acoustics of this space, two different acoustic correction proposals were developed using Caruso Acoustic’s Silente sound-absorbing panels.
- The first configuration involved the installation of 80 Silente 240x120x5 cm panels on the wall and 137 panels of the same size suspended from the ceiling. They brought about a reduction in reverberation time to 1.52 s and a 7.01 dB reduction in the sound level.
- The second option proposed a different composition and distribution: 145 Silente 240x120x5 cm panels on the wall and 84 suspended ceiling panels with equally satisfactory results: reverberation time reduced to 1.50 s and the sound level reduced by 7.07 dB.
Both configurations allow the intervention to be adapted to the specific aesthetic and functional requirements of the space.
This case study shows how, thanks to the versatility of these sound-absorbing solutions and a targeted acoustic design, it is possible to offer different layout proposals in response to different needs, with the aim of improving the acoustic comfort of large spaces such as trade fair and exhibition halls.