Acoustics as design driver

The design of acoustic spaces is equally a challenge for both architects and engineers. Room acoustics is a complex science which is influenced by room geometry and materiality as well as the locational setting of the sound sources and receivers. Due to the complexity of these interrelated factors, it is difficult to predict how various design adaptations will affect the overall acoustic properties as the design progresses. Numerical simulations help to analyse and evaluate designs for acoustic rooms and yet there is no tool to support the design process proactively with acoustics as an in-built design driver. The proposed design system builds on an evolutionary design algorithm using an acoustic simulation evaluation procedure as the main design driver in order to create new spatial concepts for acoustic spaces which can serve as starting points for architectural design solutions.