The state of the art in worship space acoustics

Thoughtful acoustic design is essential for creating a worship experience full of awe and wonder. Worship space acousticians must grapple with differing acoustic requirements for speech and music, including a diversity of typologies across religions, cultures, and regions. Even a single worship space may require multi-functionality if used for a variety of service types or events. In addition to supporting the speech and/or music delivered as part of a service, the space must be supportive of congregant participation—ranging from lively exaltation to quiet reflection. The result is a richly complex and diverse set of acoustic approaches in the realm of worship space design. The new book, Worship Space Acoustics: 3 Decades of Design (Eds. Bradley, Ryherd, + Ronsse, Springer/ASA Press, 2016) provides a wide-ranging tour through churches, synagogues, mosques, and other worship spaces designed during the past 30 years. Acoustical consulting firms, architects, and worship space designers from across the world ...