W o □ \ r * i / i ^ D ^ v A* \\ Design Considerations In Television And Radio Broadcast Studios. UNIVERSITY O F NAIROBI LIBRARY III 111 III 0238648 0 HjitVr.v.4 •1 1 A . i A*\ i —Ngunjiri- B Arch V 1989-90 INSIGHT "Hie tower o f human knowledge which we are in the process of building is endangered by the curse o f Babel and many who are in its construction have ceased to be intelligible to any of their fellow workers except those actually working on the sane part of the building". - Alexander Wood 1947. ( F i r s t Summer Symposium o f th e A c o u s tic s Group of the Physical Society). EEDICATICN TO NGUNJIRI WA MUGAI NA WACUKA WA CTKCNYO My Parents m EECLARATION This investigation report is my own original work, and to the best of ny knowledge, has never been submitted for the award of a degree or any other academic qualification in this or any other institution. Sign: Ngunjiri, F.K. (Author) I t is presented in the 1989/90 Academic Year as a p a rtia l fu lfilm en t o f the Examination Board Requirements fo r the award o f the degree o f Bachelor o f Architecture (B.Arch) at the department of Architecture in the University of Nairobi. (Supervisor) Sign:____________________________ _ Mr. K. Karogi (Year Master) and Chairman, Department o f Architecture Faculty o f Architecture Design and Development University of Nairobi ACKNOWLEDGE NEOT This document is not the fruits of ny own effort alcne. I am very much indebted to a ll those who have consciously or subconsciously contributed to its substance and preparation; and especially the fo llcwing . Dr. A.A. Adebayo - My Supervisor fo r his constant guidance throughout the entire period. Mr. Y. As ante - FOr his in itial inspiration and encouragement. The Director K.B.C* - For his honoured permission to carry out ny case study at the Voiae o f Kenya. Mr. G.M. Muguchu - Administration Manager KBC fo r h is quick assistance. Mr. Koinange - Head o f design section K.B.C. Mr, Munyua - K.B.C. - . Mr. Ole Tianpati - Studio Incharge. A ll other K.B.C. staff whose assistance and oorperation I enjoyed. My entire family for providing both moral and financial support. To Grace fo r h er concern and dedication. To Mrs. Thiong'o for tirelessly typing this report. To the authors of the publications listed in the Bibliography. To all those that are regarded to be ny friends. * K.B.C. - Kenya Broadcasting Corporation I n s ig h t . , .......................................................................................... ( i ) D edication........................................................................................... ( i i ) D eclaration........................................................................................ ( i i i) Acknowledgement................................................................................. ( i v) Table of Contents............................................................................. (v ) INTPODUCITON............................................................................................. 1 PART I - THEOPITECAL BACKGROUND CHAPTER I ~ BASIC SOUND THEORY..................................................... 6 Content Outline ................................................................................... ^ 1;1:0 Nature of Sound.................................................................... 8 1;2;0 Sound Behaviour in Outdoor Space..................................... 12 1;3;0 Sound Behaviour in an enclosed space................................ 16 1:4:0 Sound Insulation.................................................................... 19 1;5;0 Sound Absorption.................................................................. 2 3 CHAPTER 2 - STUDIO DESIGN................................................................. 29 Content Outline.................................................................................. ^O 2:1:0 Sound Isolation ............................... .'.................................. 32 2:2:0 Television Studio.................................................................. 36 2:3:0 Broadcasting Studio............................................................... 4 3 2:4:0 Acoustics and Studio Construction..................................... 3 2 2:5:0 lighting and Ventilation ..................................................... 30 PART I I ~ CASE STUDIES CHAPTER 3 - TELEVISION STUDIO..............................................................68 3:1:0 Studio Analysis........................................................................... 71 3:2:0 Sound Is o la tio n ........................................................................... 73 3:3:0 Roan Acoustics............................................................................. 74 3:4:0 Construction................................................................................ 79 3:5:0 Mechanical S ervices.................................................................... 81 3:6:0 Conclusion.................................................................................... 82 CHAPTER 4 - BROADCASTING STUDIO........................................................... 84 Content O utline.................................................................................... 85 4:1:0 Studio Analysis............................................................................. 87 4:2:0 Sound Is o la tio n .............................................................................90 4:3:0 Roan Acoustics............................................................................... 91 4:4:0 Construction.................................................................................. 97 4:5:0 Mechanical Services.................................................................... lO l 4:6:0 Conclusion.................................................................................... 103 PART I I I CHAPTER 5 ~ OyCUUSICN AND PECDN'NENDATICINS........................................ 105 Ccntent O u tlin e.......................................................................................... 106 5:1:0 Conclusion.................................................................................. 107 5:2:0 109 EPILOGUE....................................................................................................... 112 APPENDIX I - Coefficients of Sound Absorption................................................ 113 Bibliography................................................................................................ 116 INTRODUCTION The architect is usually faced with the problem of identifying some basic technical requirements that have to be integrated in his design work. Most architects leave all these requirements in the hands o f specialists who in turn, never integrate them with other elements of design to achieve a satisfactory and coherent structure. The a rch itect does not cnly possess the prime resp on sib ility o f ** designing the building and seeing that it is executed according to his instructions, but he has also the additional task Qf integrating the inputs of a ll other consultants to achieve the design criteria set down in the brief. This study sets out to investigate such an area where the architect has the responsibility of handling the basic technical design before the consultants acmes in - The design of studios. In the design of studios, acoustics remains a prime consideration. However, as a primary concern, the architect has to understand the elements and ccrponents that enhance a good acoustic design. Acoustics, as an attribute o f architectural space, should be given as much attention as the attributes like structure and mechanical systems. Fundamental acoustic considerations in studio design should be established in in i t i a l stages o f design to eschew acoustic p it fa lls or subsequent alterations to produce satisfactory work. This design technique aids the architect in integrating his work with other elements o f design. Broadcasting and television studios -"basic design considerations have been reviewed in this study to show that the technical requirements o f acoustics and sound insulation in studios can cnly be enhanced by careful architectural design considerations. AIM OF STUDY (i) To broaden the understanding of basic design considerations o f studios where acoustics is a prime requirement. (ii) To understand the role of an architect in a technical field where a s p e c ia lis t is needed. (iii) To ensure a background understanding o f design techniques to be undertaken in my design project - A Radio and Television Broadcasting centre. METHODOLOGY This study adopts an approach to establish both th e o ritic a l and practical aspect of acoustic design in Television and Broadcasting studios. These aspects are analysed and evaluated and finally concluded with an appropriate case study. This evolves certain deductions that remain important to an architect's aiders tending and application. The study is broken into three parts:- Part I This part constitutes o f a th e o ritic a l background o f sound as well as design criteria in both Television and Broadcasting studios. The primary source o f information is from relevan t litera tu re. This is then expounded to bring out certain characteristics valuable for studio design. Part 2 This part gives a practical approach to an existing situation in Kenya. The studios chosen are used fo r normal daily broadcasting and telecasting to the whole nation. The aim here is to bring out the carrponents and elements that are integrated in selected studios.