The objective of Individual Fellowships (IF) is to improve the creative and innovative potential of experienced researchers, through individual projects. The aim is to promote international and intersectoral mobility in universities, research centers, research infrastructures, companies, SMEs and other socio-economic groups throughout Europe and beyond. This action is intended to encourage mobility between European countries, by funding research projects of between one and several years, facilitating mobility between European countries.
Call: H2020-MSCA-IF-2017
Acronym: CATHEDRAL ACOUSTICS
Title: SOUND AS INTANGIBLE HERITAGE: PRESERVING THE ACOUSTICS OF CATHEDRALS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Beneficiary: University of York
Researcher: Lidia Álvarez Morales
Supervisor: Mariana López
Call/Topic: Individual Fellowships
Type of action: Standard European Fellowships (MSCA-IF-EF-ST)
Granted by: Research Executive Agency
Duration: 24 months
Start Date: 01 Oct 2018
Estimated Project Cost: €195,454.80
Abstract:
Cathedral acoustics represents a key part of Europe's intangible cultural heritage at risk of being altered by architectural deterioration or restoration work. This multidisciplinary project aims to preserve the acoustics of four English cathedrals, which represent the diversity of this group of heritage buildings, by characterising their acoustic behaviour through impulse response measurements as well as by recreating their sound environment throughout history using computer models. Virtual acoustic techniques are applied to provide a simulation of the aural experience within the buildings at different points in history, including extracts of speech and music pieces that were part of liturgical or cultural celebrations. Moreover, listening tests are conducted to assess the acoustical perception in cathedrals. This fellowship will develop the applicant's skills in virtual acoustics, sound design, and the use of new technologies for the study and dissemination of acoustical heritage, while at the same time the fellow's technical background in acoustic engineering provides opportunities for knowledge transfer to the host institution. The project's innovative approach will bring economic and social benefits to the EU by promoting and enriching heritage tourism, and by making the acoustical heritage of cathedrals widely accessible through the auralisations. The importance of sound as intangible cultural heritage will be disseminated to the general public through talks in festivals, public exhibitions and workshops. It will also result in 3 journal publications, 6 conference papers and the organisation of an international symposium on acoustical heritage. The project will encourage international collaboration networks in the field of heritage acoustics, focussing on the study of cathedrals around Europe using the methodology applied during the fellowship.

Alicia Alonso has collaborated as a invited researcher at the Acoustics, Lightning, Building Components and Facilities Unit (NAICI), of the Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil in Lisbon (Portugal), in the period from September 15, 2017 to February 16, 2018. During this stay, which was funded by one of Grants for PhD International Mobility CEI Patrimonio and V Grants for Internationalization IUACC, the researcher has carried out various scientific tasks related to the Study of the acoustic behaviour of materials that could be arranged on different constructive elements in enclosures and the Development of criteria for the evaluation of vibrations and of structural noise irradiation at low frequencies. In particular, one of the main objectives developed during the stay has been:

- the analysis of the acoustic behaviour of homogeneous and heterogeneous floors, which differs significantly mainly due to its structural properties. Proposals of systems were investigated to reduce the impact of sound transmission, deepening the study of the same materials, in order to know if they behave similarly in both types of floor.
- to prevent or reduce the harmful effects and discomfort of the exposure to noise inside housing, deepening in the determination of criteria to be followed in the consideration of vibrations at low frequencies propagated through the foundations and structure of residential buildings.

25th November, 2016, Green Amphitheater, 8th building, Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro (Portugal).

Participation of the principal researchers of the project with the paper titled: Acústica no Património Arquitectónico (Acoustics and Architectural Heritage).

Alicia Alonso has collaborated as a invited researcher at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, of the University of Southampton (United Kingdom), in the period from September 21 to December 20, 2015. During this stay, which was funded by a mobility financing granted by the Ministry of Education, Government of Spain (Ref. EST14 / 00201), the researcher has carried out various scientific tasks related to the study of subjective acoustics. In particular, one of the main objectives developed during the stay has been the depth study of perceived acoustic evaluation, virtual acoustics and implementation of audible systems (auralizaciones), for which it has carried out the realization of subjective tests with listeners. In order to properly develop the whole process, the theoretical support has enhanced and the possibilities of current techniques of virtual acoustics were exploited.

Lidia Alvarez carried out a pre-doctoral stay to qualify for the doctorate with international recognition with financial support provided by the Campus of International Excellence in Heritage PatrimoniUN10. She worked as a guest researcher in Cultures of the Digital Economy Research Institute (CoDE) of Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge (UK), in the period 1st June to 4th September, 2015. During her stay various activities regarding the study of the acoustics of heritage buildings were conducted. On the one hand, she worked on processing the B-format impulse responses measured in the Andalusian cathedrals. In addition, she participated in the measurement campaign for the acoustic characterisation of King's College Chapel (Cambridge, UK), by using new measurement techniques and programmes of audio signal processing. She also improved her skills in writing proposals for research projects in the field of the acoustics of heritage buildings. Furthermore, the participation in the following activities, held at Anglia Ruskin University, is worthy of note:

- KES Innovation in Music Conference (7-9th June, 2015).
- Workshop on drafting guidelines for European projects (27 to 28th July 2015).
- Invited presentation at the meeting "Discussion on Acoustic Modelling" organized by the Audio Engineering Society of United Kingdom, Cambridge section (3rd September 2015).

During the period of extension of the project, the possibility of carrying out a campaign of acoustic measurements in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela through Francesco Martellotta has arisen, which has sent two Italian students for the completion of the final degree project in A Coruña. The acoustic measurements materialized in collaboration with Professors Pedro Nogueira (Department of Applied Physics, University of A Coruña) Francesco Martellotta (Polytechnic of Bari) and Juan José Gómez Alfajeme (Department of Audiovisual Engineering and Communications Polytechnic University of Madrid), during the days 21-24 May 2018.

AT THE END OF MAY 2018 THE CONDITIONING OF THE SPACE HAS BEEN CONCLUDED TO HOLD THE EVALUATION SESSIONS OF THE ACOUSTIC PERCEPTION.

Once the closing wall of the space with acoustic insulation and solid door has been completed, the walls and ceiling of the chamber have been covered with dark gray pyramidal foam and the floor with a long-haired carpet.
The virtual reality system for WorldViz has been complemented with a 3D vision system for groups (projector, 3D glasses, static screen, loudspeakers and subwoofer).
An acoustic characterization has been made, including the reverberation time measurement, from the laboratory, before installing the projector and loudspeakers (see photographs), obtaining 0.3 s at medium frequencies.
The research team of the project wishes to express its gratitude to the colleague of the Department of Applied Physics II, Aureliano Gómez Píriz, for the magnificent work carried out in the lighting, electrical conditioning, wiring and application of the covering of the space.

Participation in the Tecniacustica & FIA 2018 Conference with three works in collaboration with the Department of Scienze dell'Ingegneria Civile e dell'Architettura, from the Polytechnic of Bari (Italy) "Identifying acoustically coupled volumes in the cathedral of Toledo" (S. Girón, T. Zamarreño, M. Galindo, F. Martellotta), "Virtual acoustics of the cathedral of Cadiz" (A. Escobar, T. Zamarreño, S. Girón) and "Estudio acústico de la Catedral de Santiago de Compostela (Acoustic study of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela)" (F. Balestra, F. Ciani, F. Martellotta, P. F. Nogueira, J. J. Gómez-Alfageme, M. Galindo, L. Álvarez-Morales, A. Álvarez-Corbacho).
The 11th Ibero-American Acoustics Congress will be held at the School of Engineering of the University of Cádiz (ESI), from October 24th to 26th. Jointly developed TECNIACÚSTICA 2018, which integrates the 49th Spanish Acoustics Congress and the X Iberian Congress of Acoustics, organized by the Spanish Acoustic Society (SEA), the Portuguese Acoustic Society (SPA) and the University of Cádiz (UCA). These events have the institutional support of the International Commission for Acoustics (ICA), as well as the regional and local authorities of Andalusia and Cádiz. In parallel they will be developed within the autumn courses of the UCA, the Acoustic Seminars of Autumn and the Forum of acoustic young people (YAN). The Autumn Acoustic Seminars offer eight courses in which the most current topics of Acoustics are discussed.

Participation in the EuroNoise 2018 Conference with two works in collaboration with the Department of Scienze dell'Ingegneria Civile e dell'Architettura, from the Polytechnic of Bari (Italy) "Virtual acoustics of the cathedral of Murcia considering occupation and different source locations" (L. Álvarez-Morales, A. Alonso, S. Girón, T. Zamarreño, F. Martellotta) and "Coupled spaces in San Luis de los Franceses church" (E. Alberdi, F. Martellotta, M. Galindo, A. L. León).
The EuroNoise 2018 conference toke place from Sunday, May 27, 2018 to Thursday, May 31, 2018 in the Convention Center Creta Maris in Hersonissos, Crete. The Scientific Committee was formed by scientists with long experience in noise related areas of acoustics as well as in general acoustics. The members of the scientific committee originated from a variety of European countries. Non European well recognized scientists with strong links with EAA (European Acoustics Association) were also members of the Scientific Committee. The Technical Programme contained structured and regular sessions on all aspects of Noise and general acoustics. All Technical Committees of EAA organized structured sessions in subjects related to their specialization. In addition, distinguished scientists organized special structured sessions.

We have carried out the acoustic measurements in situ in the Cathedral of Seville at night from Tuesday, 6th to Wednesday 7th February, 2018.

The campaign of measurements was implemented by studying several sound source locations: major altar, one pulpit, choir floor, St. Idelfonso chapel, Santiago chapel and Virgen de los Reyes Royal Chapel. Binaural torso microphones have been located in these areas.

The research group of the University of Seville is particularly grateful to the Cathedral Architect, Mr. Jaime Navarro Casas, and the staff for their help and support provided for the measurement implementation.

Participation in the 2017 Tecniacústica congress with a work in collaboration with the Department of Scienze dell'Ingegneria Civile e dell'Architettura of the Polytechnic of Bari (Italy) "Acoustically coupled volumes in the cathedrals of Murcia and Seville" (Zamarreño, J. Delgado-Aguilera, S. Girón, F. Martellotta).
The TECNIACUSTICA© 2017 -48nd Spanish Congress on Acoustics and the Iberian Encounter on Acoustics- will be held on 4th to 6th October 2017 at the Escuela Universitaria de Arquitectura Técnica de la Universidad de A Couña. The technical program will include plenary lectures, invited and contributed papers covering all aspects of acoustics.
The congress is organized by Sociedad Española de Acústica (SEA), Sociedade Portuguesa de Acústica (SPA), and Escuela Universitaria de Arquitectura de Técnica de la Universtidad de A Coruña- and with the support of the International Commission for Acoustics (ICA) and the European Acoustics Association (EAA). In parallel, two symposia will be held: European Symposium on Underwater Acoustics Applications and European Symposium of Sustainable Building Acoustics.

On Sunday 22nd January 2017 the video and audio of the performance from the Orquesta Barroca of Seville of five pieces of music, were recorded. They were extracts of the Sonata in the Spanish eighteenth century.

And on 31st January and 1st February 2017, the anecoic recordings of these musical pieces performed by each instrument individually was carried out in the Anechoic Chamber of the Centro Nacional de Medios de Protección in Seville (INSHT). All recordings have been made by Prof. Antonio Pedrero-González from the Polytechnic University of Madrid who has collaborated in this task of the project as an expert.

From here we would like to thank the Director of the Centro Nacional de Medios de Protección in Seville (INSHT), Ms. Pilar Cáceres Armendáriz, and to all the staff who assisted us for their selfless collaboration in this project as well as to Professor Pedrero and the Orquesta Barroca of Seville.

On January 16th 2017 Alicia Alonso was interviewed in the Longitud de Onda program of the radio station Radio Clasica of Radio Nacional de España.

Under the heading of Arqueología Acústica (Acoustic Archeology) she was asked about subjects related to her doctoral thesis and the acoustics of the Cathedrals of Seville and Granada.

Her intervention takes place between minutes 29' to 39' of the program.

7-9th October, 2016, conference hall of the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH). Monastery of la Cartuja (Seville).

Participation of the principal researchers of the project with the paper titled: Acústica y Patrimonio Arquitectónico (Acoustics and Architectural Heritage).

On May 31st a comprehensive photo report of the Cathedral of Seville Transept was performed.

The study of surfaces photographed is used to make texturing and mapping required to obtain similar renderings at the real model.

On 19 th and 20 th May 2016 an intensive course of 12 hours has been organized for training the researchers of the project in this technology. The course was taught by Dr. Seckin Basturk from Soundimensions Company.

The EuroRegio2016, organised by the Portuguese Acoustical Society (SPA) and the Spanish Acoustical Society (SEA), will be held at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), in June, 13-15 th. This congress will be held jointly with the 9th Iberian Congress and the 47th Spanish Congress on Acoustics TECNIACUSTICA®2016, and will include an EAA Summer School on Acoustics, and a Forum for Young Acousticians.
The research group of the project will present three pieces of work in collaboration with the Department of Scienze dell'Ingegneria Civile e dell'Architettura, from the Polytechnic of Bari (Italy), with the research group of Architectural Acoustics from the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid (Spain), and with the research group of Virtual Acoustics from the Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain).

We have carried out the acoustic measurements in situ in the Cathedral of Toledo at night from Sunday, 17th to Tuesday 19th April, 2016.

The campaign of measurements was implemented by studying 11 sound source locations: major chapel altar, the two pulpits, choir floor and choir stalls, transept, retrochoir, organ and St. Idelfonso chapel, Santiago chapel and Virgen del Sagrario chapel with a total of 59 receiving points spread out throughout the cathedral and chapels. Omnidirectional, bidirectional, binaural torso and B-format microphones have been located at these points.

The recorded signals enable the acoustic behaviour of this space to be known.

The research group of the University of Seville is particularly grateful to the Deán, Mr. Juan Sánchez Rodríguez, and the whole staff for their warm reception, help and support provided for the measurement implementation.

360º Tour Major Chapel

Photographs: Pedro Bustamante, measurement session in the Toledo Cathedral.

On April 5th a comprehensive photo report of the Cathedral of Seville Royal Chapel was performed.

From this work we have been carried out planimetric survey of the interior elevations to further volume development of this space.

Also the study of surfaces photographed is used to make texturing and mapping required to obtain similar renderings at the real model.

We have carried aot the acoustic measurements in situ in Murcia Cathedral at night on Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd February 2016.

The measurements was implemented by studing nine sound source loctions: mayor chapel altar, presbytery altar, pulpit (grille and pillar), choir floor and choir stalls, retro-choir, organ and "Los Vélez" chapel, with a total of 33 receiving points spread out throughout the temple. Omnidirectional, bidirectional, binaural torso and B-format microphones has been located at these points.

The recorded signals enable to know the acoustic behaviour of this space.

The research group at the University of Seville is particularly grateful to the Vicar and the whole staff for their warm reception, help and support provided for the implementation of the measurements.

360º Tour "Los Vélez" Chapel

Photographs: Pedro Bustamante, measurement session in the Murcia Cathedral.