Acoustic evolution and new performative analysis of the Royal Festival Hall

Abstract

The Royal Festival Hall (RFH) in London, opened in 1951, is renowned architecturally but has long-standing acoustic challenges affecting clarity, warmth, and reverberation. This study investigates the hall’s acoustic performance and evaluates interventions to improve its auditory qualities other than pursuing the idea of changing theatre chairs since the focus has been on this topic. Acoustic measurements of existing theatre chairs were conducted using a Microflown sensor, and the data were incorporated into a geometrical acoustics model to simulate the effects of a sustainable plant-based leather (Piñatex) covering. Simulations considered both unoccupied and occupied conditions, alongside modifications to architectural elements, including curtains on balconies, ceiling reflectors, and increased floor and wall mass. Results show that Piñatex improves reverberation time at mid and high frequencies under unoccupied conditions but has negligible effect when the hall is fully occupied. Additional architectural interventions enhance reverberation and other parameters, including clarity (C50, C80) and strength (G), although low-frequency response remains limited. This study highlights that the hall’s shallow and wide form constrains acoustics, suggesting that structural adjustments or reinforcement sound systems are necessary for an optimal room’s response.