Establishing the Reciprocal Interpretation Amidst the Architectural and Acoustic Parameters of the British Colonial Church by Assessing its Acoustic Parameters

International Journal of Civil Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal

Volume 12 Issue 6

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Beryl Raja Divya Mahimairaj, Pradeepa Chandramouli

10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I6P116

How to Cite?

Beryl Raja Divya Mahimairaj, Pradeepa Chandramouli, "Establishing the Reciprocal Interpretation Amidst the Architectural and Acoustic Parameters of the British Colonial Church by Assessing its Acoustic Parameters," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 6, pp. 201-209, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I6P116

Abstract:

This study examines the interdependent relationship between architectural parameters and acoustic performance of British Colonial churches through systematic measurement of both by exploring architectural features such as spatial geometry, materiality, structural features, decoration and their significant effect on acoustic parameters like reverberation time, sound clarity, and speech intelligibility in these buildings. The results add to architectural acoustics and cultural heritage conservation practice by presenting empirical evidence on the acoustic performance of colonial church buildings and its effect on restoration works and new church designs that will achieve historical authenticity while maintaining optimal acoustic performance. It is interdisciplinary and entails architectural history, acoustic engineering, and cultural heritage scholarship to understand how built environments are associated with hearing perception in religious settings. A sound and harmonious experience for congregational purposes such as worship, choir, and other activities is constructed based on this acoustical assessment. This includes varied field measurements, simulations, and objective determination of acoustical factors – Reverberation Time (RT), Sound Transmission Index (STI), and Background Noise (BN) measured at points in the church. Recommendations are provided for an equilibrium of acoustics and architecture, considering the church’s historical and cultural limitations and sanctity. This is done by establishing optimum acoustics and boosting a spiritual community among its congregation.

Keywords:

Church Acoustics, Reverberation, Background Noise, Speech Transmission Index and Congregation.

References:

[1] Hanna Autio et al., “Historically Based Room Acoustic Analysis and Auralization of a Church in the 1470s,” Applied Sciences, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 1-25, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Alaa Algargoosh et al., “The Impact of the Acoustic Environment on Human Emotion and Experience: A Case Study of Worship Spaces,” Building Acoustics, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 85-106, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Braxton Boren, “Word and Mystery: The Acoustics of Cultural Transmission During the Protestant Reformation,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 12, pp. 1-13, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Luigi Elicio, and Francesco Martellotta, “Acoustics as a Cultural Heritage: The Case of Orthodox Churches and of the "Russian Church” in Bari," Journal of Cultural Heritage, vol. 16, no. 6, pp. 912-917, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Limalemla Jamir, Baridalyne Nongkynrih, and Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, “Community Noise Pollution in Urban India Need for Public Health Action,” Indian Journal of Community Medicine, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 8-12, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Janko Vodopija, Sinisa Fajt, and Miljenko Krhen, “Evaluation of Acoustic Parameters of Churches,” 10th French Congress of Acoustics, Lyon, France, pp. 1-6, 2010.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] David L. Klepper, “Acoustics of Worship Spaces,” The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, vol. 49, pp. 126-126, 1971.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Changwoo Lim et al., “Effect of Background Noise Levels on Community Annoyance from Aircraft Noise,” The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, vol. 123, no. 2, pp. 766-771, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Jingyi Mu, Tian Wang, and Zhenlin Zhang, “Research on the Acoustic Environment of Heritage Buildings: A Systematic Review,” Buildings, vol. 12, no. 11, pp. 1-20, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Adam J. Lonsdale, and Adrian C. North, “Why do we Listen to Music? A Uses and Gratifications Analysis,” British Journal of Psychology, vol. 102, no. 1, pp. 108-134, 2011.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] MikeSorensen, Church Acoustical Measurements, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.acousticfields.com/church-acoustical-measurements/
[12] Sarah Omlin, Georg Bauer, and Brink, Mark, “Effects of Noise from Non-Traffic-Related Ambient Sources on Sleep Review of the Literature of 1990-2010,” Noise & Health, vol. 13, no. 53, pp. 299-299, 2011.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Alessandro Ricciutelli et al., “Churches Acoustics as Intangible Cultural Heritage: Experimental and Numerical Characterization of the Temple of San Biagio,” International Journal of Architectural Heritage, vol. 18, no. 7, pp. 1117-1130, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Lakshmi Pradeep, and S.M. Shiva Nagendra, “Evaluating Variations in Environmental Noise Pollution of Chennai City Using a Mobile Monitoring Technique,” Journal of Transport & Health, vol. 35, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] Hui Xie, Bingzhi Zhong, and Chang Liu, “Sound Environment Quality in Nursing Units in Chinese Nursing Homes: A Pilot Study,” Building Acoustics, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 283-298, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Ni Sui et al., “A Lightweight Yet Sound-Proof Honeycomb Acoustic Metamaterial,” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 106, no. 17, pp. 1-5, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Teófilo Zamarreño, Sara Girón, and Miguel Galindo, “Acoustic Energy Relations in Mudejar-Gothic Churches,” The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, vol. 121, no. 1, pp. 234-250, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Ishita Sharma, The History of Indian Air Force, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://static.mygov.in/indiancc/2021/05/mygov-10000000001960522275.pdf
[19] How Soundproofing Curtains Work, Enoise Control. [Online]. Available: https://www.enoisecontrol.com/how-soundproofing-curtains-work/
[20] The Differences Between Acoustic Panels and Soundproof Curtains, Sound Away. [Online]. Available: https://www.soundaway.com/The-Differences-Between-Acoustic-Panels-and-Soundproof-Curt-s/361.htm?srsltid=AfmBOopgkz8I-to24B7O8TNPeQLq4odduGAuMRLrTiUq2MEgsvNY3GbW
[21] An Introduction to Good Acoustics, Troldtekt. [Online]. Available: https://www.troldtekt.com/product-advantages/good-acoustics/advanced-acoustics/an-introduction-to-good-acoustics/