Acoustic Performance Parameters and Their Influence on Audience Engagement in Performing Arts Auditoriums

Abstract

Performing arts auditoriums are complex architectural spaces where acoustic performance plays a decisive role in shaping audience experience and engagement. Beyond visual aesthetics and spatial grandeur, the success of performances largely depends on how sound is perceived, interpreted, and emotionally received by occupants. This study investigates the relationship between key acoustic performance parameters and audience engagement in performing arts auditoriums. Through a critical review of existing literature and an evaluative analysis of documented auditorium case studies, the paper identifies how parameters such as reverberation time, speech intelligibility, clarity, sound pressure level, and background noise influence audience comfort, attention, and emotional involvement. Rather than treating acoustics as a purely technical concern, this research situates acoustic performance within a human-centred architectural framework, emphasizing its impact on perception and engagement. The findings highlight the need for architects to integrate acoustic considerations early in the design process and to adopt performance-based strategies that balance technical requirements with experiential quality. The paper concludes by proposing design-oriented insights that support improved audience engagement in performing arts auditoriums, particularly within educational and cultural contexts.

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