WSDG raises the acoustics of the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra

A large team of experts, coordinated by the specialist in architectural acoustic consulting and systems engineering WSDG, has transformed the sound of the renovated concert hall of this cultural institution.

Located in the center of Vilnius, in the capital of Lithuania, the newly rebuilt concert hall of the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra (LVSO), formerly known as Vilnius Concert and Congress Hall (Vcch), opened its doors in mid-March 2024.

Equipped with the latest standards and equipped with aexceptional acoustics, specially adapted to symphonic music, the hall is destined to become one of the most attractive concert spaces not only in Lithuania, but from all the Baltic countries.

in the project, which was conceived in the year 2018 and was paralyzed by the global pandemic until 2022, the designer participated Marius Mateika and the services of the Lithuanian building architecture and acoustics company Acoustics Plus, in collaboration with ADA Acoustics & Media Consultants, specialist company in architectural acoustic consulting and media systems engineering WSDG, and the construction company.

A multidisciplinary team whose joint effort has been decisive in helping the old hall reach world-class acoustic standards, suitable for a top-level symphony orchestra as is currently the case.

“The key conclusion when exploring the room was that the ceiling height did not offer enough volume to create optimal acoustics for each visitor,” he explains. Wolfgang Ahnert, founding director of ADA Acoustics & Media Consultants-, which included a two-second reverberation time necessary for a perfect symphonic listening experience.”.

Ahnert worked during the project in collaboration with Tobias Behrens to create simulations with the computer program Ease in his Berlin office (Germany), that were transmitted to the rest of the experts involved to determine what was necessary from an architectural point of view..

The first phase of the project consisted of radically change the design of this space, raising the ceiling after convincing the client that more volume had to be added to the concert hall, with capacity for 984 seating.

Following the principles of amphitheater design, was also installed scenery, equipped with two mobile elevators, as well as new lighting and ventilation systems.

The next stage focused on integration of three-dimensional acoustic patterns on the ceiling and walls, combining rhombuses, triangles, ribbed and smooth acoustic panels to create an optimal listening environment. “The integration of these panels allowed the sound reflections to be diffused and guaranteed uniform distribution throughout the room”, Behrens points out.

After intense work by the teams involved in this project, the concert hall opened its doors last 16 March with a Mahler concert in which the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra and different Lithuanian choirs and soloists participated.

“At first I had doubts that it would be possible to create exceptional acoustics in the room, that dissipated during the first trials, but after the official opening concert the sound quality is impressive”, concludes Ahnert.