Speaker
Description
The Yammat FM radio station, native to Zagreb, Croatia, was recently relocated to a 100-year-old building in the city centre. In 2023, the new premises were fully restored and redesigned by Croatian architects and reputable contractors. The design project aimed to create a distinctive visual and acoustical accessibility of the designed spaces, with the emphasis on two broadcasting studios facing the street. This paper presents the acoustic design of these studios. The proposed solution strives to solve a complex design problem by addressing the proximity of these studios to a busy road and tram traffic route, evoking the need for adequate sound insulation. Simultaneously, it integrates the studios with the outdoor public space through large front windows, with glass panels that allow a clear view inside from the sidewalk. As a prerequisite for high-quality production of radio programme, room acoustic conditions in the studios have been given special attention. The target design values were defined primarily in accordance with BBC WHP 021 whitepaper and HRN DIN 18041:2012 standard. Room acoustic conditions were designed and evaluated through simulations performed in ODEON 17.13. The proposed acoustic treatment combined acoustic plaster, glass-fibre absorbers, perforated wooden and gypsum-board systems, carpeting, and carefully selected wall and ceiling assemblies. A mid-frequency reverberation time of 0.36 s was achieved in Studio 1 as the larger of the two, while 0.22 s was achieved in the smaller Studio 3. Low-frequency reverberation remined somewhat emphasized in both studios due to visual design constraints. The study demonstrates the integration of acoustically demanding spaces into a transparent, street-visible architectural concept.