Upon first visiting the bare site of the new Saudi Press Agency (Saudi Arabia), we knew that acoustics were important and needed to be considered when constructing the interior space.
The Saudi Press Agency’s auditorium is a 25-meter-diameter concrete sphere that required precise acoustic studies in order to deal with major reverberation and echo issues.
Along with specialized acoustic consultants, a design was shaped based on an accurate simulation of reverberation times to calculate the percentage of absorption materials required, determine the reverberation diffusion areas, and define the sweet spots of the amphitheatre through the appropriate software.
When the study was finalised, and sustainable acoustic absorption and diffusion materials were picked and approved, then came the task of lighting the sphere to accentuate its shape.
With accurate acoustic, lighting, and material simulations, Antoine Maalouf Architects, along with the appropriate consultants, managed to solve the issues the architectural volume was facing.
Through the use of dedicated software and technologically advanced sustainable materials and finishes, The Saudi Press Agency’s auditorium was successfully inaugurated with a functional, innovative design. “Form follows function” was perfectly implemented for a project that desperately needed it, resulting in a design based on rigorous studies to improve the use of a public space.
