Our consultant, Andrew VonFeldt, recently gave a guest lecture at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Design for Bryan Gross’s Materials and Tectonics studio design course. As part of the class requirements, students are tasked to develop a small recital hall and an experimental theater. Andrew’s lecture provided industry knowledge and practical approaches for acoustic designs for these spaces.

During the lecture, students toured two previously completed projects by Gross (from his time at Helix Architecture + Design) and Avant Acoustics. Visiting these completed projects served as inspiration and real-world examples for their project.

The first stop was a black box theater inside the Goppert Performing Arts Center at Avila University. Here, Andrew discussed some of the fundamental principles of room acoustics, sound isolation, and various types of acoustic materials. He also covered both absorption and diffusion materials with their applications. Andrew completed the first tour by explaining the strategies for how consultants design and consult for experimental theatres.

The second stop of the lecture was the recital hall within Grant Hall, at the University of Missouri-Kansas. Here Andrew explored the more intensive acoustic requirements of a recital hall, sharing key strategies to optimize sound quality.

Andrew commented, “It’s always such a rewarding experience for me to interact with students and contribute to their continued education especially if it gets them excited about acoustics.”