## Early design criteria for small multipurpose cultural houses

Anders Buen, Sivilingeniør

Brekke & Strand akustikk AS

Postadresse: Postboks 1024 Hoff, 0218 OSLO

Besøksadresse: Hovfaret 17B

Sentralbord: +47 24 12 64 40 | Mobil: +47 97 12 55 64

e-post: anb@bs-akustikk.no | www.bs-akustikk.no

The article discusses early design criteria for typical multipurpose halls for music in light of measured data from a series of Norwegian cultural venues. Acoustical design guidelines given by The Council for Music Organizations in Norway (CMON) are under revision. Unfortunately, proper acoustical measurements of halls in cultural venues are rare. The necessary feedback for control of these requirements, as well as the results, has thus been somewhat limited. There is need for a proper verification of the recommendations given by CMON and we should share data in a common effort to do so.

Basic early basic design criteria are related to the type of cultural events the venue should house, how many seats are wanted and what dimensions and volume is needed to be able to fulfill good acoustical conditions for the purpose of the venue. Data on room and scene volumes, ceiling heights, number of seats, reverberation times, background absorption areas and noise levels are assessed up against CMON’s design criteria as well as those given in NBI Håndbok 20 and Beraneks classic book on concert halls. We suggest recommendations for early design criteria based on our measurements and experiences from about 20 cultural venues around in Norway.