Room Replica for Acoustic Tests in Konstnärliga
In the parts of Konstnärliga that will be rebuilt, a replica of one of the future ensemble rooms has been constructed.
"It's a way to test that all installations work the way we want, and will make the construction phase easier," says Sebastian Jannesson, the university's previous coordinator for the building project.
It is in one of the old dance halls in the building formerly known as Artisten that a complete scale replica of one of the future ensemble rooms has been built, as a room within the room. Even the corridor outside has been built as part of the replica.
“For our part, it's mainly about testing the acoustics and making sure that it will be a well-functioning teaching environment in the future. Akademiska Hus uses the replica as a way of testing installations and the like,” explains Sebastian Jannesson.
“Everyone was very impressed”
In the replica, everything from door automation, type of textiles, location of electrical sockets, lighting and visible installations to the amount of acoustic walls has been tested. Earlier this year, the acoustics in the room were tested by around ten teacher representatives. Drums, bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals were auditioned.
“Everyone was very impressed with how the room had been designed and looked forward to teaching in these environments.”
When Konstnärliga is completed, there will be five rooms identical to the temporary replica, as well as several slightly smaller variants.
A Second Acoustic Testing
In September, a second acoustic testing took place. This time, it was tested how well the room worked for analogue ensembles.
“Two student ensembles tested the acoustics in the room, a string quartet and a brass quintet. There are two very common settings in chamber music,” says Tobias Granmo, who is an associate professor in artistic practices at the Academy of Music and Drama and teaches classical violin. Tobias Granmo, who is responsible for the course in chamber music, participated during the test himself.
By removing sound-absorbing material from the walls and ceiling, the room was adapted for more acoustic music and then got a more resonant function and less dry acoustics.
“If you play classical music, it is good to have reverberation in the room, and strings, for example, like to have more reverberation than brass.”
Tobias Granmo thinks that the sound was good and that the ceiling height contributed to this. It wouldn't have worked with less reverberation in the room.
“The students are used to a certain type of premises in older buildings, such as some in Artisten, but there are advantages to newer buildings as well. For example, practice rooms with slightly harder and drier acoustics often contribute to students becoming more responsive.”
“It was very valuable that we had the opportunity to come and audition in the room and give our thoughts on it. I am glad that I, on short notice, was able to put together two ensembles with master's students from the orchestra program who were willing to come and test the acoustics and give their opinions, even though they themselves will not have the chance to play in Konstnärliga. It's going to be fantastic with a new house and it's really something that everyone welcomes."
