Roslyn Retreat Center Acoustics

Acoustic panels and a hidden acoustical ceiling treatment provided the finishing touches at the new Roslyn Chapel, part of the Roslyn Retreat Center in Richmond, Virginia. The acoustical treatments fit seamlessly with the architectural design of the space, allowing visitors the best experience possible in this serene retreat chapel.

When the Roslyn Episcopal Conference and Retreat Center designed their new chapel, ensuring proper acoustics was a crucial element. To allow visitors to connect with the natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and comforting hospitality for which the center has become recognized, the space needed to be quiet and distraction-free. The architectural firm of Bartzen + Ball designed several large windows for the space. This allows for views of the 150-acre retreat, as well as the James River that borders the property. While the windows help to bring the natural surroundings into the building, they also created an acoustical problem. Sound energy, even from a single person talking, reflected off of all the glass and created a severe echo.

To accomplish the goals for the chapel and reduce the echo problem, Acoustical Solutions worked with builders at Taylor & Parrish to integrate the acoustical treatment into the design of the chapel. The natural wooden finishes of the facility helped bring a sense of nature into the interior of the building. In order to maximize the beauty of the wooden finishes, 38 2″ thick AlphaSorb® Fabric Wrapped Acoustic Panels in Guilford of Maine Anchorage Fabric were designed to fit within a wooden grid design. With the walls of the chapel taken care of, the team looked to the ceiling. Due to the particularly high pitch of the roof, sound reverberation was a serious concern. To prevent sound clarity issues, the designers needed to treat this area as well. The beautiful design of the naturally finished wooden lathe planks was a challenge. They solved this problem by installing AlphaMidnight Acoustic Ceiling Tiles behind the wooden planks, which were spaced appropriately to allow sound energy to pass through and be absorbed by the ceiling treatment.