Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver

situation:

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre is owned and operated by Vancouver Civic Theatres. The building holds two venues: the 2,929 seat main auditorium and the 668 seat Playhouse Theatre. The main auditorium was typical of the postwar era with a very dry acoustic and a poor spatial sound that lacked impact. Achieving a strong, intimate sound with good spatial characteristics in this very large room was one of the most formidable challenges Aercoustics has faced. The smaller Playhouse Theatre was plagued by unwanted sound coming in from rock and roll acts performing in the main auditorium. Perhaps the most difficult challenge however was the owner’s anxiety about a reduced seat count.

assessment:

Aercoustics’ work on this building started with a feasibility study in 1994. Acoustic measurements were performed in each venue and noise intrusion between them was measured. We used a sledgehammer to induce vibration for measurement and confirmed that the problematic sound path was structure borne. This meant that the only solution was to cut the building in two. Objective acoustic measurements inside the main auditorium confirmed the subjective assessments and were then used to calibrate both scale and computer models.

solution:

Solutions to the various acoustical problems were designed and built over four years. The construction is being done in the summer months when the house is dark. In the first summer, the building was cut in two, severing the structure borne noise path between the auditoria. The next summer, the ceiling was removed for greater reverberance and the ductwork was re-designed for quieter operation. Finally, a system of reflectors was installed to direct sound to arrive at the listeners from the sides sooner than it otherwise would. Each one of these reflectors was very carefully oriented in 3-D space with sophisticated computer work. These reflectors improve loudness, intimacy and, most of all, spatial impression.

results:

All of the work done so far has been well received. The noise separation has been a phenomenal success. One of the biggest naysayers is now one of our greatest champions. The once very noisy ventilation system has been tamed allowing the acoustic nuance to be displayed. In the areas where the new reflectors have gone in, the spatial sound has improved significantly andthis very large room sounds intimate, even in the far reaches of the balcony.