RPG Diffusor Systems

Muziek Centrum, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

The music center is integrated into a larger building complex, called the “Heuvel-Galerie”, with shopping area (malls), recreational facilities, parking, offices and apartments at the market place in the center of Eindhoven. The music center contains a large (1300 seats) and a small (400 seats) concert hall. To analyze the acoustics of the concert hall, pulse response diagrams were made in a 1:10 scale model, which also included 1:10 QRD® Diffusors. A technical paper entitled A New Concert Hall for the City of Eindhoven: Design and Model Tests, authored by P.E. Braat-Eggen, L.C.J. van Luxemburg, L.G. Booy, TNO Building and Construction Research and P.A. de Lange, Eindhoven University of Technology, was published in Applied Acoustics 40, pp. 295-309 (1993).
Design
“The experimental scale model tests led to several changes in the design. The pulse (impulse ed.) responses showed that for the lateral energy in the middle part of the hall, diffusors on the walls were needed. The results with the diffusors on the walls are promising. They also showed that the two rear walls in the lower part of the hall caused echoes on the seats close to measuring points 25 and 4. After using diffusors on these walls the energy coming from that direction was spread in time. The echoes disappeared. The pulse responses on the stage platform showed a lack of energy coming from one point on the stage to another point on the stage. We used QRD® diffusors in combination with reflectors placed above the stage to improve the stage acoustics. The halls have been in use for a full season. The acoustics have been acclaimed by critics, musicians and public alike.” “Because of the dominant function of the ceiling in relation to the arrangement of the seats, the architect wanted a very flat wall finishing made of wood. We, on the other hand, needed surfaces for sufficient and strong lateral reflections. The problem was solved by applying so-called QRD® Diffusors. The architect succeeded in finding an acoustically and aesthetic solution in the arrangement of the diffusors in the walls.” Muziekcentrum P.E. Braat-Eggen, L.C.J. van Luxemburg, L.G. Booy, and P.A. de Lange, Applied Acoustics 40, pp. 295-309 (1993). “The acoustics of the hall can only be described as completely successful according to the musicians who keep praising us abundantly and according to the critics of all leading national newspapers. The same is true of the recital hall.” Mr. Renz van Luxemburg TNO, Eindhoven The Netherlands “Our task was to integrate the QRD® Diffusors into the actual design and the scale model design for testing and evaluation. Our thanks to RPG® for their assistance and for manufacturing diffusors of high quality that contributed to the success of this project.” Mr. Neil Grant Harris Grant Associates Iver, Bucks UK