Roslyn Retreat Center
Acoustical wall panels and a hidden acoustical ceiling treatment provided the finishing touches on the new Roslyn Chapel, and the Roslyn Retreat Center in Richmond, Virginia. Learn how the acoustical treatment was designed to fit seamlessly with the architectural design of the space allowing visitors the best experience possible in this serene retreat chapel.
Application Introduction
When the Roslyn Episcopal Conference and Retreat Center designed their new chapel, ensuring proper acoustics was a crucial element to reducing distractions and allowing visitors to connect with the natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere and comforting hospitality for which the center has become recognized.
In order to allow Roslyn's visitors to connect with the natural surroundings, the architectural firm of Bartzen + Ball designed several large windows into the space, allowing for views of the 150 acre retreat as well as the James River that borders the property.
While the windows help bring the natural surroundings into the building, they also create an acoustical problem as sound, even the sound of someone talking, can reflect off of the glass and create echo problems.
Treatment Provided
In order to accomplish the goals for the chapel and reduce the echo problem, Acoustical Solutions Sales Representative Blake Hall worked with builders at Taylor & Parrish to integrate the acoustical treatment into the design of the chapel.
The natural wooden finishes of the facility helped bring a sense of nature into the interior of the building. In order to maximize the beauty of the wooden finishes, 38 2" thick AlphaSorb™ acoustical wall panels were designed to fit within a wooden grid design.
With the walls of a chapel designed, the team looked to the ceiling.
Due to the particular pitch of the roof, sound reverberation (echo) was a serious concern. In order to prevent harsh reverberation which would cause sound clarity issues, the designers needed to treat the area.
The problem they faced was that the ceiling was designed to be a beautiful display of naturally finished wooden planks.
In order to accomplish their goal, AlphaMidnight™ Ceiling Tiles were installed behind the wooden planks, which were spaced appropriately to allow the sound to pass through to the absorptive ceiling treatment.
Project Results
The AlphaSorb™ wall panels and AlphaMidnight™ ceiling tiles dramatically reduced reverberation within the chapel.
After the panels and the ceiling treatment were installed, the chapel felt very intimate and warm, while at the same time allowing visitors to to experience all the beauty of the natural surroundings.
For more information about the Roslyn Retreat Center, Click Here
For more information on this application, contact Blake Hall.
