Antonella Bevilacqua

The growing demand for sustainable construction materials has stimulated interest in the development of bio-based alternatives to conventional acoustic absorbers. This study investigates the sound absorption performance of olive tree pruning residues (OPR), including leaves and small branches. Acoustic measurements were conducted using both impedance tube and reverberant chamber methodologies on a range of sample configurations, including fresh leaves, dried leaves, shredded branches and hydroponic composites obtained by combining dried olive leaves with wheat cultivation. The results demonstrate that OPR exhibit good sound absorption properties, particularly at medium and high frequencies. The hydroponic composites provided additional structural stability while maintaining favourable absorption characteristics. Although further research is required to evaluate fire resistance, durability, mechanical performance and large-scale manufacturing feasibility, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on bio-based acoustic materials and highlights the potential of agricultural residues as environmentally responsible alternatives to conventional sound absorbers.

Indoor environmental comfort is essential in performing arts spaces due to its influence on both audience engagement and performers’ experience during live events. This paper primarily investigates the acoustic response of the Goldoni Theatre, with an additional assessment of its thermo-hygrometric and lighting conditions across audience areas. Acoustic measurements were conducted under unoccupied conditions to evaluate the sound field in accordance with standard requirements. The results indicate favourable listening conditions for both music and speech. Complementary surveys were carried out during the summer season to assess thermal comfort while the HVAC system was not in operation, as well as illuminance levels. The findings show that air temperature falls within the optimal comfort range when unconditioned, fluctuating between 24.6 °C and 26.2 °C, whereas illuminance levels remain below the recommended lower limit, specifically between 156 and 190 lux. Overall, this study provides an acoustically focused evaluation of the theatre in Bagnacavallo, complemented by an assessment of its thermal and lighting conditions, which reflects the candlelight practices as typical of similar historical opera houses.

1. The reuse of heritage buildings in Rome is a fascinating part of the city's architectural and cultural evolution. Rome is full of structures from different eras, many of which have been adapted ...

Roman theatres were designed to host spoken drama and musical performances, relying on typical semicircular architectural form and stone materials to achieve favourable acoustic conditions. This study investigates the acoustic behaviour of the Roman theatres of Herculaneum and Cales, two sites characterized by markedly different states of preservation and historical reconstruction challenges. The theatre of Herculaneum remains largely buried beneath volcanic deposits, requiring a hypothetical reconstruction based on archaeological documentation and historical sources, while the theatre of Cales is partially preserved and directly accessible for geometric surveys. Virtual acoustic models of both theatres were developed to analyses their sound field characteristics under unoccupied and occupied conditions. Key acoustic parameters relevant to music, including reverberation time, clarity, strength, and ITDG, were evaluated through numerical simulations. Particular attention was given to the influence of original surface materials, such as stone and wood, on sound propagation and spatial distribution. The comparative analysis highlights how differences in architectural layout, scale, and reconstruction assumptions affect the resulting acoustic performance. Despite these differences, both theatres exhibit acoustic conditions consistent with their intended use, demonstrating the effectiveness of Roman design principles. The results contribute to a better understanding of ancient performance spaces and provide insights into the acoustic restitution of Roman theatres.

The Royal Festival Hall (RFH) in London, opened in 1951, is renowned architecturally but has long-standing acoustic challenges affecting clarity, warmth, and reverberation. This study investigates the hall’s acoustic performance and evaluates interventions to improve its auditory qualities other than pursuing the idea of changing theatre chairs since the focus has been on this topic. Acoustic measurements of existing theatre chairs were conducted using a Microflown sensor, and the data were incorporated into a geometrical acoustics model to simulate the effects of a sustainable plant-based leather (Piñatex) covering. Simulations considered both unoccupied and occupied conditions, alongside modifications to architectural elements, including curtains on balconies, ceiling reflectors, and increased floor and wall mass. Results show that Piñatex improves reverberation time at mid and high frequencies under unoccupied conditions but has negligible effect when the hall is fully occupied. Additional architectural interventions enhance reverberation and other parameters, including clarity (C50, C80) and strength (G), although low-frequency response remains limited. This study highlights that the hall’s shallow and wide form constrains acoustics, suggesting that structural adjustments or reinforcement sound systems are necessary for an optimal room’s response.

Sound source localization represents one of the major challenges for soundscapes due to the dynamicity of a large variety of signals. Many applications are found related to ecosystems to study the migration process of birds and animals other than other terrestrial environments to survey wildlife. Other applications on sound recording are supported by sensors to detect animal movement. This paper deals with the immersive 3D soundscape by using a multi-channel spherical microphone probe, in combination with a 360° camera. The soundscape has been carried out in three Italian squares across the city of Parma. The acoustic maps obtained from the data processing detect the directivity of dynamic sound sources as typical of an urban environment. The analysis of the objective environmental parameters (like loudness, roughness, sharpness, and prominence) was conducted alongside the investigations on the historical importance of Italian squares as places for social inclusivity. A dedicated listening playback is provided by the AGORA project with a portable listening room characterized by modular unit of soundbars.

The percentage of historical heritage buildings in Italy is substantial. Many of these buildings are abandoned or not adequately restored for public access due to safety concerns. However, some are managed by city councils and made available to local communities. These heritage buildings, valued for their historical significance, are now frequently used for live events, including musical performances by ensembles and small groups. This paper deals with the acoustics of two rooms provided with barrel-vaulted ceilings: Sisto V Hall in Naples and Aula Magna at the University of Parma. These spaces are structurally very similar, differing mainly in length. Acoustic measurements conducted in both halls reveal reverberation times of approximately 4.5 s at mid frequencies, resulting in poor speech clarity. This is primarily due to the presence of reflective surfaces, as the walls and ceilings are plastered, and the floors are tiled. To optimize their acoustic properties for functions such as celebrations, gatherings, and conferences, an acoustic design intervention was proposed. Digital models of the halls were calibrated and used to correct the acoustics by incorporating absorbing panels on the walls and carpeting on the floors of the central walk path. This treatment successfully balanced the reverberation time to approximately 1.3–1.4 s at mid frequencies, making speech more intelligible. Additionally, an amplified audio system was analyzed to enhance sound distribution, ensuring uniform coverage, even in the last rows of seating. Under amplified conditions, sound pressure levels (SPLs) range between 90 dB and 93 dB, with appropriate gain control applied to the column array speakers.

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil and serves as an efficient agricultural production system. Compared to traditional farming, hydroponic crops offer significant water savings while also reducing the need for chemical pesticides by eliminating soil-borne diseases and pests. Additionally, hydroponic materials are being studied as a potential food source for space missions and as a substitute for industrially produced animal feed during winter. This paper explores the acoustic absorption properties of green materials derived from hydroponic systems. The roots of wheat grown in a porous layer formed a rigid skeleton structure. After drying, test specimens were prepared for acoustic measurements, undertaken using an impedance tube, to assess the material’s sound absorption performance. The results indicate optimal absorption around 600 Hz and 2000 Hz, reaching α = 0.95–1.0, which is significant. A brief description of the substrate layers is also provided.

Kart racing is one of the hobbies that people get passionate about from a young age. Kart dromes are commonly built in suburban or rural areas, generally surrounded by industrial zones and sporadic residential buildings. The circuits are primarily active during summer, hosting races that often extend into the evening and night hours, where each race has a duration of 20 min. This study examines the noise generated by kart dromes through acoustic measurements conducted at a kart drome located in southern Italy, where a microphone was placed at the side of the circuit for short periods in addition to a survey conducted at the nearest sensitive receptor. Another survey was conducted within the kart drome for a long-term period to record all of the variations in noise levels of a typical summer day when the races are organized during the nighttime; for this type of data, the hourly average values were taken for one week in June, July, and August, highlighting the increasing trend in the noise levels due to the kart races. However, a detailed analysis of noise emissions during different phases of kart operation revealed two significant acoustic events, such as the acceleration of pass-by peaks centered on high frequencies and strong breaking noise at curves that are centered at low-medium frequencies, causing a whistling noise of the wheels while turning the kart. This paper highlights the increasing trend in noise levels during summer nighttime races, compares on-site measurements with laboratory data, and discusses the implications for local communities and noise regulations.