Specialty acoustic solutions

Great care was taken to mathematically model the acoustic performance of the space, which informed the level of acoustic absorption required and the boundaries of the design aesthetics. It was crucial that the space had a perfect sound profile to support the cinematic experience. Both Quietspace^® Panel and custom Quietspace^® 3D Tiles were employed to deliver superior acoustic absorption.

 

While designing the interior solution for the Dragon Flight Theatre a number of areas were considered:

• Materials could be reused multiple times, meaning a non-adhesive fixing solution must be implemented
• The design represented Te Papa’s innovative nature
• Autex’s philosophy of sustainability – using recycled and recyclable non-toxic products – was upheld
• The design embodied the true nature of Toothless the dragon, including his colour palette

 

It was important for Autex to capture the essence of the film and bring it to life in the theatre; drawing on the ‘real life’ dragons of this world, the mood board included snakes, lizards, and other reptiles. Four types of scales were selected, each with different dimensions, to provide a broad concept selection. These were then refined to one style by a select committee. Using custom made Quietspace 3D Tiles, Autex developed a technical solution that mimicked the natural form of snake scales, enlarged for visual and acoustic quality. Each individual scale was custom cut using a water cutter to ensure the end result was immaculate.

The “return to flat” style dragon scale tiles overlapped, creating an additional absorbing surface.  This multiplied the acoustic performance without employing thicker denser materials.  Having the ‘return to flat’ style dragon tiles allowed the tiles to be invisibly fixed to the wall without adhesive, which would allow future use in other exhibitions and locations.

 

Due to the fact that the Dragon Flight Theatre was placed in the centre of the exhibition, there was a lot of potential for sound spill out into the other areas of the exhibition so Quietspace Panel was also fixed to the ceiling as a secondary precaution to ensure the sound was confined within the theatre.  Head of Exhibitions and Collections for the ACMI, Russell Briggs commented “the acoustic experience within the theatre was superior to the one we had [in Melbourne] and the experience of having the sound fill the room and not have that reverberation, I thought created a superior viewing experience in the theatre […] If you combine that with the fact that Autex had gone the extra mile to create this really themed look and feel, it was a fantastic outcome for Te Papa”.