Authors :
Benedict Anyanwu
Volume/Issue :
Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/msz4ubdn
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/2vy3j5rx
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14590795
Abstract :
This research work looks at how selected
architectural forms and shapes influence the acoustical
performance of religious structures in Nigeria in areas of
RT60, SPL, and SII. Using data from urban cathedrals,
Pentecostal churches, and traditional indigenous
churches, the paper discusses how logarithmic volumes,
material choices, and geometric patterns affect acoustic
experiences during prayers. Due to high roofs and large
open spaces, urban cathedrals showed high RT60 values
(3.8–4.2 s) and uneven sound distribution, making
speech intelligibility low. Some Pentecostal churches had
lower values of RT60 (1.6 – 2.2 sec) but that was
worsened by sound amplification with such problems as
sound distortion and SPL imbalances in the range of 85-
105dB. However, traditional churches with small volume
and sound absorption materials like mud and wood
almost reached the recommended RT60 value of between
1.2 and 1.8 seconds and had excellent speech
transmission index of 0.85 to 0.88. This research work
employed a mixed-method approach which is the
qualitative and quantitative methods. From these
deductions, there is a need to incorporate acoustic
principles in the church design concerning good speech
and music clarity. Therefore, the study recommends a
partnership effort by the architects, acousticians, and
sound engineers to compensate for the complexity
emanating from poorly designed contemporary church
architectural design while capitalizing on the better
acoustics of the historical structures. In doing this,
Nigerian ecclesiastical buildings can achieve the
development of aesthetic spaces that will not just
spiritually and audibly inspire the worshippers.
Keywords :
Acoustical Quality, Ecclesiastical Buildings, Architectural Forms, Reverberation Time (Reverberation Time (RT60)), Sound Pressure Levels (Sound Pressure Level (SPL)), Speech Intelligibility Index (Speech Intelligibility Index (SII)), Nigerian Churches, Traditional Church Design, Modern Church Acoustics, Architectural Acoustics.
References :
- Adedeji, O., & Oyedepo, A. (2016). Acoustical challenges in Nigerian ecclesiastical buildings: A study of Lagos and Abuja cathedrals. Journal of African Architecture, 25(4), 101-115.
- Adeleke, I. (2017). The relationship between architectural form and acoustics in Nigerian churches. Nigerian Journal of Architecture, 30(3), 25-40.
- Adegoke, A. (2019). Acoustical design considerations for modern Nigerian churches. Architectural Acoustics Journal, 12(2), 68-81.
- Beranek, L. L. (2012). Acoustics: Sound fields and transducers. Elsevier.
- Brandt, P. (2017). Acoustical considerations in church architecture. Journal of Architectural Acoustics, 10(2), 45-59.
- Chong, W., & Lee, A. (2016). Acoustical performance in church buildings: A review. Journal of Building Acoustics, 23(4), 205-222.
- Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
- Durojaiye, A. (2020). The impact of form and materials on acoustical performance in Nigerian ecclesiastical buildings. International Journal of Architectural Acoustics, 14(3), 190-205.
- Falana, O. (2006). Evolution of ecclesiastical architecture in Nigeria: From colonialism to modernity. African Architectural Review, 13(2), 45-59.
- Hodgson, M. (2017). Architectural acoustics: Theory and practice. Wiley & Sons.
- Nelson, P., & Marshall, R. (2019). Designing for sound: The architectural acoustics of religious spaces. Acoustics Journal, 8(3), 112-130.
- Nwachukwu, S. (2015). Traditional church designs in southeastern Nigeria: Acoustical insights and challenges. African Journal of Architecture and Urbanism, 11(2), 78-89.
- Ogunleye, O. (2016). Local materials and their acoustical properties in rural Nigerian church buildings. Journal of Nigerian Building Studies, 6 (1), 112-128.
- Olumide, A. (2018). Acoustic performance in churches: A review of material selections and spatial designs in Nigerian ecclesiastical buildings. Nigerian Journal of Acoustic Engineering, 18(4), 33-44.
- Oyeleke, S. (2019). Strategies for improving acoustics in modern Nigerian ecclesiastical buildings: A case study. Journal of Building Acoustics, 22(1), 78-93.
- Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. E. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 42(5), 533-544.
- Razavi, S., Safar, S., & Bozorgi, S. (2017). Modeling the acoustic performance of ecclesiastical spaces: A case study of Iranian mosques. Journal of Architectural Acoustics, 22(1), 38-53.
- Saldanha, F. (2020). Integrating acoustical design with cultural traditions in Nigerian churches. Building Design and Acoustics, 12(1), 33-48.
- Schroeder, M. (2013). Room acoustics (3rd ed.). Springer.
- Sheng, J., & Ning, L. (2020). The impact of material selection on the acoustical properties of ecclesiastical spaces. Architectural Acoustics Review, 25(2), 134-146.
- Sjöström, C., & Nilsson, M. (2019). The importance of subjective assessment of acoustics in large spaces: A study of cathedral acoustics. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 453, 41-52.
- Steiner, S. (2018). Sound and space: The influence of architectural form on acoustical quality. Journal of Architectural Science, 15(2), 45-62.
- Zang, P. (2017). Architectural forms and acoustics in Nigerian cathedrals: A comparative study. Journal of Ecclesiastical Architecture, 14(3), 101-118.
- Zhang, Z., Wang, F., & Chen, H. (2018). The effect of room shape and surface materials on reverberation time in large halls. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 143(2), 851-861.
This research work looks at how selected
architectural forms and shapes influence the acoustical
performance of religious structures in Nigeria in areas of
RT60, SPL, and SII. Using data from urban cathedrals,
Pentecostal churches, and traditional indigenous
churches, the paper discusses how logarithmic volumes,
material choices, and geometric patterns affect acoustic
experiences during prayers. Due to high roofs and large
open spaces, urban cathedrals showed high RT60 values
(3.8–4.2 s) and uneven sound distribution, making
speech intelligibility low. Some Pentecostal churches had
lower values of RT60 (1.6 – 2.2 sec) but that was
worsened by sound amplification with such problems as
sound distortion and SPL imbalances in the range of 85-
105dB. However, traditional churches with small volume
and sound absorption materials like mud and wood
almost reached the recommended RT60 value of between
1.2 and 1.8 seconds and had excellent speech
transmission index of 0.85 to 0.88. This research work
employed a mixed-method approach which is the
qualitative and quantitative methods. From these
deductions, there is a need to incorporate acoustic
principles in the church design concerning good speech
and music clarity. Therefore, the study recommends a
partnership effort by the architects, acousticians, and
sound engineers to compensate for the complexity
emanating from poorly designed contemporary church
architectural design while capitalizing on the better
acoustics of the historical structures. In doing this,
Nigerian ecclesiastical buildings can achieve the
development of aesthetic spaces that will not just
spiritually and audibly inspire the worshippers.
Keywords :
Acoustical Quality, Ecclesiastical Buildings, Architectural Forms, Reverberation Time (Reverberation Time (RT60)), Sound Pressure Levels (Sound Pressure Level (SPL)), Speech Intelligibility Index (Speech Intelligibility Index (SII)), Nigerian Churches, Traditional Church Design, Modern Church Acoustics, Architectural Acoustics.