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Description
Soundscape research has highlighted the importance of acoustic environments for human perception and experience. However, most studies have focused on outdoor environments, while few have investigated indoor settings such as libraries. The evolution of libraries from quiet to multifunctional spaces has introduced diverse acoustic conditions. This study investigates soundscape perception in two libraries using controlled ambisonic audio reproduction. The study included two experimental phases. The first compared the perceived soundscape of a simulated contemporary multifunctional library with that of a recorded soundscape in a traditional quiet library. The second assessed the influence of immersive video reproduced with META Quest 2 on soundscape perception using the same audio recorded in the traditional library. Twenty-four participants evaluated sound environments representing typical full-occupancy conditions of the contemporary reverberant multifunctional New Civic Central Library of Torino and the traditional reverberant quiet Saint Geneviève Library in Paris. The former was simulated through auralisation at 50.2 dB(A), while the latter was reproduced from two in-situ recordings at 50.4 dB(A) and 50.3 dB(A). Preliminary results showed that the two libraries differed significantly in the perceived presence of individual verbal and non-verbal sounds, while adding immersive visual cues enhanced perceived soundscape quality and increased Calm and Pleasant ratings.