Worship Spaces

First Baptist Church, Midlothian, TX 2018

This model has been analyzed for treatment and response times utilizing two (2) compact line arrays consisting of (4) Worx Audio TrueLine X1 units on each side of the stage.
These are full range loudspeakers suspended above the left and right proscenium of the stage. System was pre-equalized for a flat response (A-weighted) of the total coverage area, with average total SPL (Sound Pressure Level) of approximately 103 dB and an average reverb time of 1.25 seconds broadband.

Faith Bible Church, Edmond, OK 2017

Faith Bible Church chose to convert a full size gymnasium to their new sanctuary and expand seating by creating a balcony seating area.

The chosen sound system consists of two (2) compact L-Acoustics Kiva Line arrays in a L/R proscenium location to cover both main floor and the mezzo-balcony. Lapendary baffles from the gym were reused in the z-bar trusses above the ceiling panel array for low frequency absorption, and Tectum was reused on the back and side walls for reflection control, realizing a total average reverb time of 0.98 seconds.

Northgate Church, Ramsey, MN 2013

Northgate PAC built a new sanctuary and performing arts center to accommodate up to 690 seats.

This model has been analyzed for treatment and response times using two (2) line arrays consisting of (3) L-Acoustics ARCS Focus cabinets with (1) L-Acoustics ARCS Wide cabinet in bottom position.
These are full range loudspeakers suspended above the left and right proscenium creases of the stage, and (4) L-Acoustics SB-118 cabinets arrayed two high and two wide over the center front of the stage.

A selection of 14 large diffusers of the Acoustical Surfaces Inc. Curve® type, and 9 of the medium type were installed on the walls, and the acoustical clouds had a selection of different NRC values per row to enhance the intelligibility at more distant audience seating areas, and a total average reverb time of 0.95 seconds.

Bethany Community Church 2009

Bethany recently took possession of a former health club building and required some extensive remodeling to be conducive for church activities. The entry foyer leads directly to this new sanctuary designed as a room within a room. Two layers of drywall on common walls will dampen leakage into adjacent classrooms and offices, while the undulated rear wall was specially designed to provide a more diffusive surface for low and mid frequencies. As a cost-effective client choice, the space between all of the ceiling I-beam girders and purlin grids will be filled with R-30 batting encapsulated in microperforated black vinyl, and selected fabric covered panels were applied on the side and back walls. A distributed four cabinet loudspeaker system consisting of Electro-Voice Xi1152A’s coupled with under-stage mounted subs was specifically tuned in EASE for both excellent voice articulation and contemporary music reproduction for each seating area.

Bethel Highlands Lutheran Church 2008

Bethel had an octagonal floorplan which reflected and focused most of the energy into the center of the room, so I designed undulated mid/high absorbtion for the walls with hard rear surfaces and then trapped the low frequency energy in the suspended cloud system in the ceiling. I also recommended acoustical texturing for the exposed upper surfaces of the wallboard and into the clerestory. Then the sound system was designed and arrayed for the best coverage even when the seating areas are moved and re-arranged for round table discussions and lectures.

Hope Lutheran Church 2008

Hope Lutheran required their soundsystem loudspeakers to be direct and present, yet be placed as far as possible out of sight lines in the laminated wood beam and girder suspension system. A choice was made to install a cluster of three Danley SH-50’s with a high degree of down angle and narrow directivity to avoid reflections from the majority split block and glass walls.

Saint Christophers Episcopal Church 2008

St. Christophers wanted to commission a study entailing adding a gable section to allow them to move the chancel to one side of the long, narrow sanctuary and move a recently acquired massive pipe organ onto the existing chancel. The remodel would also move the choir to the sides and front of the organ manual and they needed acoustic reinforcement to enhance projection up and out into the vaulted ceiling.

The original tongue and groove wood paneling was also absorbing too much ambience for proper organ recital reverberations, so it was recommended that it be cleaned and coated with spar varnish to harden it. Seating areas were rearranged to surround the new pulpit, and a sound system analysis and coverage study were run.

Abundant Life Community Church 2007

Abundant Life North Branch commissioned a study of their new proposed sanctuary with attached offices and educational/library facilities and is currently in the process of fundraising the necessary construction costs.

This design required temporary acoustical treatments that were effective yet not expensive or permanent as the architectural design allows for the side walls of the stage to be demolished and two more symmetrical seating areas added on each side of the sanctuary.

Bethlehem Baptist Church 2007

Bethlehem sought to build a large modern worship space to accommodate current and future congregational growth, as well as accommodating national conferences several times per year. The design required that the roof of the center section of the worship space be raised to increase the cubic volume and alleviate some of the issues encountered with a low, flat ceiling structure. Then the left and right wings were opened up, increasing the seating complement to over 1200, albeit at a lower finished height.

The undulated ceiling center section incorporates extensive absorption in the cavity above, as well as diffusion of major floor/wall reflections, while allowing light in from the clerestory windows. Side and rear walls were manipulated in the design stage to eliminate most room nodes, and diffusive and absorptive wall panels were applied to create a very effective and pleasing acoustic environment.

Servodrive loudspeakers were deployed (3 in front cluster, 2 in rear delay cluster) for the center section, with Tannoy speakers filling the side wings for low sight-line interference, and horn-loaded subwoofers were mounted under the stage.

Rockpoint Church 2006

Rockpoint architects BWBR designed the roof section of this sanctuary at multiple elevations with a very large support beam at the level division creating a difficult challenge in ceiling treatments. This cloud system was designed for congregational singing support as well as diffusion by being angled in a random manner. The under surfaces are hard enough to diffuse and reflect desirable energy, while extremely effective low frequency energy absorption was placed aboved the visible ceiling. Additional wall treatments were designed to reduce echo from the back wall to the stage, and absorb many of the lateral reflection issues.

The sound system was designed as 3 Danley SH-50’s in source point configuration with subwoofers mounted into concrete enclosures under the stage front.

Pax Christi Catholic Community Church 2005

Coverage patterns of multiple congregation areas with shadowing issues were the primary impetus for developing a detailed model for Pax Christi’s sanctuary and overflow seating. Several options were discussed and presented, with the final installation comprising three Danley SH-50’s clustered directly over the altar/pulpit, with fill speakers feeding more intimately into the shadowed areas. Delayed full range speakers were modeled for the overflow and special occasion functions.