AbstractsLaw & Legal Studies

Acoustic analysis of Redpath Hall.

by Leslie L. Doelle




Institution: McGill University
Department: School of Architecture.
Degree: Master of Architecture.
Year: 1964
Keywords: Architecture.; Redpath Hall (Montréal, Québec).; Architectural acoustics.
Record ID: 1548503
Full text PDF: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/thesisfile116538.pdf


Abstract

See also: Acoustics in architectural design : an annotated bibliography on architectural acoustics. When Redpath Hall, originally designed and built as a library reading room, was converted into a multi-purpose auditorium, it soon became evident that the Hall was deficient, in several respects, in its new role. The multipurpose hall is, by design, a compromise, designed to provide reasonable hearing conditions for a multiplicity of instrumental and vocal performances, without favoring or overly impairing any particular type of performance. Redpath Hall possesses a relatively long reverberation time, decidedly beneficial for the appreciation of some musical performances, such as organ recitals, chamber music, choral performances, string quartet, etc., but at the same time, noticeably detrimental for other performances; those instruments that excell with a long reverberation time, tend to mask other instruments, resulting in a definite orchestral imbalance, particularly noticeable in remote seats; quick passages of solo instruments are blurred; the spoken word is not intelligible. [...]