Among the Horizon 2020 European initiatives, that of "Cultural Heritage and Climate Change" appears
both
as a challenge for Europe, and as a key factor of European identity. In this context, a project on
the
acoustics of Spanish Roman theatres as intangible cultural heritage is raised, not only for the
present
but also for the past (acoustic archaeology) and future (restoration, intervention and ephemeral
architectures). Virtual reality techniques are applied to combine sound and visual perception in
order
to expand knowledge, conservation and development of one of the most important heritage elements in
Europe: open-air Roman theatres. Physical aspects and perception aspects (dispersion, perceived
quality
and discrimination thresholds of acoustic parameters) are studied. In addition, the environmental
aspects are incorporated into these enclosures, to analyze the thermal comfort of their occupants
and
their possible influences on acoustics.
Project Objectives
The project is based on similar work (BIA2014-56755-P) previously developed by the team. The general
objective: "to ascertain, retrieve, preserve, evaluate, and disseminate the acoustic heritage value
of
Roman theatres in Spain in significant cultural settings” is tackled by using virtual reality
techniques
and by assessing the acoustic and thermal sensation perceived in these spaces, as embodied in these
specific objectives:
1. To choose a significant sample of the 20 Roman theatres that are located in Spain. Their current
acoustic behaviour is characterized therein: space-temporal distribution of sound energy, generation
of
files of their acoustic parameters, and creation of acoustic simulation/auralization models.
2. To identify, document, and select current, past or future, acoustically significant
configurations
from an archeological, cultural and social point of view, in order to advance in the identification,
recovery, assessment, and dissemination of cultural heritage by using virtual-reality techniques.
3. To develop, for these configurations, 3D models for visualization and for acoustic simulation and
auralization, which is then integrated into the models of virtual reality.
4. To evaluate the perception of the sound field through techniques of subjective evaluation and to
relate these figures with those measured, by using perception tests based on auralization
techniques.
5. To research into the discrimination thresholds of acoustic parameters in these semi- open spaces
and
their relationship with the values proposed for cultural spaces.
6. To simulate the solar radiation, velocity field, turbulence intensity and air temperature, and
wind
topology, to which the occupants of the theatres are exposed.
7. To evaluate the risk of cooling and the level of thermal comfort to which the occupants of
theatres
are exposed. To look for solutions that minimize the adverse impacts from their great exposure to
the
environmental elements, in particular, solutions involving tree barriers ("curtains") around the
Roman
theatre, mobile walls on the stage, and solutions involving removable canvas ceilings.