How to Make a University Seminar Hall with Sound Absorbing Panels World-Class?

University seminar halls not only host conferences and lectures, but also facilitate events for students and faculty and visitors to interact. This makes seminar halls spaces that represent the university and its image, often as a first impression for visiting faculty, remote students or prospective students. For this reason a seminar hall must be well designed and organized with a comfortable and inviting atmosphere conducive to concentration and interaction. Below are some ways in which these halls can successfully achieve that:

Choose the right hall

The seminar hall should be situated in a convenient location on the university campus. It should be easily accessible for both pedestrians and vehicles, and also inviting with an impressive driveway and pathways that are both inviting and functional. The entrance to these halls should also have its own allure, as universities often boast classic, traditional architecture and grandiose design in representation of the university’s history and good standing across the years.

Provide comfortable seating

Seminars can often last the majority of a day, and sometimes continue on for several days. This makes comfortable and functional sitting arrangements an essential element in seminar hall designs. While considering comfortable seats, well designed, ergonomic chairs are a must. It’s important to think of every detail for the sake of the people’s comfort and positive experience. For example, a fixed seating arrangement must include provisions for left-handed people. The hall must also be wheelchair accessible throughout, while also incorporating special seating arrangements for people with physical impairments. Choosing chairs with rubber-caster wheels is optimal, as they are flexible and make no sound. These and many other details should be taken into consideration, while also keeping the aesthetic and decoration of the seminar hall in mind with every decision.

Install chalkboards

For training events there should be chalkboards and whiteboards in the instruction zone. The placement of these boards should allow maximum visibility. Some whiteboards can also double as screens or backdrops. Finally, consider dividing these boards sections: one to display the subject of discussion, and the other to aid the lecturer. Having order and intelligent arrangements make it easier to follow along with the subject matter without getting overwhelmed or distracted.

Include multimedia systems

In this day and age, no seminar room is complete without audio and video systems. These aid in relaying information across the seminar hall efficiently. Depending on the size of the seminar hall, you may have single screens, double screens or multiple screens across the front of the room. Again, the screens should be placed at the ideal height and separation for maximum visibility. Ceiling-mounted projectors and projector screens are also essential tools. Strategically placing the screens in corners and at the right viewing angles also ensures that everyone is able to view the information clearly, regardless of seating zone.

Consider the ceiling height

Research reveals that when people sit in halls or rooms with low ceilings, they tend to feel constrained or feel the massive ceilings as obtrusive, closed-in elements. On the other hand, when one sits in high-ceiling spaces they tend to feel more free, or dispersed, improving comfort and the ability to focus and engage in more abstract thinking. Moreover, in a high-ceiling hall, projection screens, speaker systems, and other equipment can be placed higher up the walls, improving visibility and sound quality, as high ceilings ensure even distribution of sound across the seminar halls.

Window treatments are necessary

Since projectors are usually the preferred choice in seminar halls, allowing natural or artificial light from outside the hall is not optimal. Ideally, these should be spaces without windows or openings that let light seep in. If there are windows, electric roller blinds would be ideal in order to activate them from afar to shut out light when needed. Curtains and color treated windows are also alternatives for light control.

Have proper lighting

Given the fact that precise lighting is fundamental within seminar halls, it is ideal to have a variation of lighting fixtures and types of lighting available for different purposes. If illumination here is too dim, it can make the attendees drowsy or sleepy after long hours in the same room. However, lights with high glare can be distractions and can make people restless and uncomfortable. Apart from the effects of lighting on people, lighting can also affect the visual quality of the room by making it harder to read the projector screens and boards, or making it hard to see from a distance.

Having indirect, diffused lighting is a proper choice. This can be achieved by implementing recessed, overhead lighting providing just the right amount of illumination for note taking, activities, and maintaining participants engaged. If possible, all lighting systems should have dimmers to control light levels as appropriate for different activities, such as entering or exiting the hall, when light should be bright enough for people to safely move about.

Consider the color palette

Selecting color schemes for university seminar halls can be challenging, as functionality really is the key component to work around. The colors present in the hall must complement and not compete with, or affect, the lighting requirements. Considering the size of the hall is also important when selecting colors so as not to have an overwhelming amount of that color on such large scale walls and ceilings. Certain colors can affect the mood and evoke different reactions in different people, which is why neutral shades are the better option, particularly in lighter shades to maintain the airiness of the room. If the university has a signature color, this can be added into the room sparingly and as a focal piece.

Make the hall biophilic

The biophilia hypothesis delineates that humans have an innate connection with nature. It is proven that people feel safe, relaxed, and inspired when surrounded by nature-reminiscent elements. This connection and subconscious reaction can be harnessed in many ways, from simply bringing live plants indoors, to installing suspended acoustic panels reminiscent of leaves or tree canopies above. 

There are plenty of plant species available to achieve whatever level of lushness and color suits your halls best. These plant varieties can be real or replica plants, depending on the design and functionality needed. 

Another way to connect with nature is with the implementation of natural materials, such as wood. Wooden floors, slats, or wall paneling also bring that natural familiarity and comfort. Similarly, the use of marble and natural, or imitation, stone panels and tiles can have a similar positive effect.

Adorned with Sound Absorbing Panels

Introducing felt acoustic wall panels into university seminar halls optimizes the design and elevates it to a world-class standard. This is due to the fact that these decorative elements come with the added layer of acoustic quality modification, as they dampen, absorb and disrupt sound waves. Functionality aside, these products are also available in various shapes, configurations, colors, and installation options, with new improvements and designs emerging continuously. 

With so many variations of acoustic panels and suspended clouds or baffles, it is possible to achieve just the right amount of sound absorption appropriate for a seminar hall, or other functional interiors. For example, covering an entire wall is not necessary for these products to make a difference, and instead simply adding them to critical areas can have fascinating results. 

As previously mentioned, seminar halls can be massive in scale, with very high ceilings and, consequently, the need for noise-trapping and thermal solutions within the vast space. This is where the various options for custom ceiling-suspended acoustic products come into play. You can embellish your heigh ceilings with acoustical ceiling baffles or suspended ceiling clouds and tiles to make the seminar hall more sound-efficient and visually captivating with customizable colors and designs. These 100% woolen felt elements also convey a soft and luxurious allure, adding an extra layer of texture, comfort, and ambiance.

Conclusion

Seminar halls are spaces conducive to interactive learning. These are places and events that people attend to explore new ideas, sharpen skills and interact. Therefore having a comfortable, functional and inspiring atmosphere is essential to maximize the experience. These tips will no doubt take your seminar hall to the next level.