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Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 234 ( 2016 ) 45 – 54
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
ScienceDirect
1877-0428 © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the Association of Malaysian Environment-Behavior Researchers, AMER (ABRA malaysia)
doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.10.218
ASEAN-Turkey ASLI (Annual Serial Landmark International) Conferences on Quality of Life 2016
AMER International Conference on Quality of Life, AicQoL2016Medan
25 – 27 February 2016, Medan, Indonesia
The Importance of Acoustic Design in the Mosques towards the
Worshipers’ Comfort
Ahmad Ridzwan Othman
*
, Che Muhammad Harith, Norhati Ibrahim, Sabarinah Sh
Ahmad
Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, UiTM, 40000 Shah Alam, Malaysia
Abstract
A good acoustic design will provide a better and comfortable environment in the mosque in term of sound audibility and speech
intelligibility. Unfortunately, architects nowadays often focus more on designing a building based on its looks or form, and the
main function of space most often neglected. The research has taken place at Masjid Al-Hussain Kuala Perlis. The research
approach includes interviews and observations guided by the theory of affordance employed. Although the acoustic design was
not that perfect, the acoustic design is still acceptable. There is a correlation between the acoustic designs of the mosque and the
worshipers’ comfort.
© 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Peer-review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers) and cE-Bs (Centre
for Environment-Behaviour Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
Keywords: Acoustic design; sound audibility; speech intelligibility; worshipers’ comfort
1. Introduction
Architectural acoustics is the art of achieving a good sound within a building. Based on Wikipedia the first
application of modern scientific methods to architectural acoustics was carried out by Wallace Sabine in the Fogg
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +000 0000 0000; fax: +000 0000 0000.
E-mail address: dwan_arc7@yahoo.com
© 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the Association of Malaysian Environment-Behavior Researchers, AMER (ABRA malaysia)
46 Ahmad Ridzwan Othman et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 234 ( 2016 ) 45 – 54
Museum lecture room. He then applied his new found knowledge to the design of Symphony Hall in Boston.
Architectural acoustics is about achieving a good quality of speech in a theatre, improvise quality of music in a
concert hall or recording studio, or suppressing noise to make offices and homes more comfortable and peaceful
places to work and live.
Nowadays, architects have often focused on the design a beautiful mosque. Acoustic design is an important
characteristic of a mosque. A high level of quality of sound is needed for all worship activities. Poor acoustic design
in a mosque will disturb the concentration of the worshipers. According to Khabiri et al. (2013), to ensure good
listening conditions, acoustical needs must be considered in the design phase. High-quality sound also is vital,
especially for pure tones that must be both wide and effective.
1.1. Statement of the problem
Architects now days often concentrate more on designing a building based on its looks or the forms and the main
function of space have been put aside. In designing a mosque, a good acoustic design is needed for the worshipers.
While giving talks or lectures in a mosque, some of the worshipers unable to hear clearly, and the message cannot
deliver to them efficiently.
A poor acoustic design in a mosque will also cause the worshipers unable to hear clearly the voice of the “Imam”
during the "Jemaah" prayer. Therefore, the acoustic design must be considered at the early stage of designing a
mosque such as the choice of materials used, the construction and the geometrical form of the mosque itself.
1.2. Purpose of the study
The purpose of the study is to identify the importance of acoustic design in the mosque towards the comfort of
the worshipers. From the investigation, it is expected to raise awareness among the people especially the designers
about the importance of acoustic design in a mosque in ensuring the comfort of the worshipers. This investigation
was done firstly through exploring the knowledge on the implication of poor and good acoustic design towards the
comfort of the worshipers. Consequently, observing and understanding the importance of acoustic design for the
worshipers in achieving comfort.
1.3. Aim and objectives of research
The aim of this study is to identify the importance of acoustic design in the Masjid Al-Hussain at Kuala Perlis,
Perlis towards the comfort of the worshipers. The main question of the research: Is it necessary to have an acoustic
design in the mosque to ensure the comfort of the worshipers? Thus by going through observations and interviews, it
is to clarify how comfortable the worshipers when they are in the mosque.
Therefore, it is expected by the end of this study; researcher has come to the conclusion on the importance of
acoustic design in the mosque towards the comfort of the worshipers. The objectives are:
x To create awareness of the importance of acoustic design in designing a mosque among architects for the comfort
of the worshipers.
x To identify the application of good acoustic design in the mosque for worshipers.
x To observe and analyse the worshiper’s behaviour in the mosque.
2. Literature review
2.1. Introduction of building acoustic
Building acoustic is considered to be one of the most important aspects of building design that prioritises
speeches and music, primarily buildings such as concert halls and places of worship such as mosques. As studied by
Lidia Álvarez-Morales, building acoustic is typically defined from which the positions of the source and positions of
listeners in the various zones is analysed by processing acoustic parameters related to reverberation, sound strength,
clarity, early lateral reflections, and the speech intelligibility. Meanwhile, as researched by Ismail (2013), rooms for
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musical performance shows a growing understanding of the more important acoustical characteristics of the concert
(such as bass effect) and are well defined although the need to improve tools for applying this knowledge to the
design of these spaces is still in progress. On the other hand, rooms for speech are not as well defined because of
special groups of listener such as the very young or old, hearing impaired listeners, and those listening in a second
language. From here, it can be seen that building acoustic is divided into two categories, speech and music.
2.1.1. Speech
The study by Ismail (2013) speech intelligibility is affected by an excessive reverberation time, (T60). It has been
defined as the 60dB decay time of sound level in the auditorium, after cutting off the sound energy. Sabine’s
formula is usually used to calculated (T60) from the empirical relation: (T60) = 0.16V/A in seconds, where V is the
volume (m3) of the auditorium, and A is the total absorption (m2). Early decay time (EDT) is defined as the decay
time from 0dB to -10dB. It is used as a quick indication of the amount of reflections, diffusion, or clarity of sound
waves in the auditorium. He also stated that, an advanced technique, introduced by Schroeder, uses the squared
reverse-integrated impulse response of an auditorium (which is equivalent to the ensemble average of an infinite
number of squared reverberation decays). In conclusion, this technique is useful for quick calculation of the EDT,
and can be used for in-situ applications.
2.1.2. Music
In musical acoustics, the room should be able to enhance the quality of the musical reverberation, whereas
studied by Bradley (2009) the room should strongly reproduce bass sounds for most types of musical performances.
He also found that the classical approach to providing the adequate strength of the bass sound assumes that the
degree of bass is related to low-frequency reverberation times. Moreover, the rooms for musical performances
should have increased low-frequency reverberation times, where the further study shows that typically the 125 Hz
reverberation time is required to be 1.5 times the mid-frequency value. It sometimes leads to quite extreme efforts to
reduce low-frequency absorption in halls.
2.2. Importance of acoustic design within mosques
Every mosque requires acoustic design. Mosques are a multi-function public hall with many worshipping
activities that have different acoustical requirements (Khabiri et al., 2013). In a study by Zühre Sü Gül and Mehmet
Çalıskan (2013), they found that having a high quality of sound is an important feature in main prayer hall design,
and it is a fundamental element in mosques and various places of worship. Acoustical design of mosques is
considered critical considering speech and music related activity patterns held in such religious spaces.
Although that is true, studies by Ismail (2013), stressed that the importance of speech intelligibility became more
important in contemporary mosque design, that the integration of other activities such as the Holy Quran recitation,
speeches, and lectures in the prayer halls is a norm. It means that acoustical design is crucial within mosques to
ensure that the quality of sound, whether in term of speech or music, is maintained to ensure religious activities can
proceed more smoothly.
2.3. Effect of reverberation time on mosque
In a study by Zühre Sü Gül and Mehmet Çalıskan (2013), they found that reverberation time, in scientific term is
defined as the time required for the average sound energy density to decay by 60 dB from an equilibrium level after
the sound source has stopped. Since 1900, Sabine has studied the phenomenon, and RT has been used as the main
technique for discovering the acoustic characteristics of room’s environment and, in the case of the holy mosque,
clues on intelligibility and sound aesthetics. In Doğramacızade Ali Paşa Mosque acoustical simulations of T30 over
frequency range are assumed as a global average of the interior volume and presented for each receiver location in
the form of distribution maps.
As studied by Zühre Sü Gül and Mehmet Çalıskan (2013) found that the result of global estimates indicate that
perforated wood application on inverse triangular pendentive surfaces is effective both for occupied and unoccupied
48 Ahmad Ridzwan Othman et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 234 ( 2016 ) 45 – 54
conditions of the mosque, particularly in the improvement of lower to mid frequency range. They also found that
being the selected alternative design solution all other simulation results are presented only for perforated wood
application on pendentive surfaces. Average mid frequency T30 for an unoccupied mosque with acoustical
treatment on pendentive surfaces is 1.94 s, and average low-frequency T30 is 2.07 s. As studied by Mazloomi
(2010) the unique of this type of pendentive surfaces construction is that it creates massive multivolume space to the
mosque's interior. With treatment, average mid frequency T30 for the occupied mosque is 1.34 s, and average low-
frequency T30 is 1.86 s. Warmth expressed regarding bass ratio (BR) should be greater than 1.20 for music
performances. Lastly, they found that although speech is the main activity in a mosque, the low frequency and
spiritual context of the male imam’s voice proved rather different than the ordinary speech, making it advisable to
have a BR that is closer to optimal for music. In the case of Doğramacızade Ali Paşa Mosque, Zühre Sü Gül and
Mehmet Çalıskan (2013) found that BR is 1.06 for the unoccupied mosque and 1.38 for the occupied mosque.
Worshiper’s corporeal presence attribute to further absorption in mid to high-end frequency range of the occupied
mosque space, creating the warm acoustical environment.
2.4. Integration of acoustic design
Table 1. Room acoustic parameters and allowable limits (occupied spaces)
Source: Zühre Sü Gül, & Mehmet Çalıskan (2013)
2.5. Spaces
As studied by Ismail (2013), the selection criteria were set to maintain various cross relationship geometrical
parameters with increasing mosque size. The relationship of the mosque plot area and volume is shown in Figure 1.
Evidently, the linear relationship demonstrated by the graph proves that the selected mosques maintain a sheer
volume and plot area relationship. The volume increases with increasing plinth area. This linear relationship will
ensure a linear increase in RT with the increase in volume. Any deviation is due to the effect of the geometrical
disposition of each mosque and the design aspects if the finishing materials are of similar absorption characteristics.
He also studied about the linear increase in volume with increasing surface area is represented Figure 2. The
relative data are represented regarding its relationship to the plinth area of the mosque prayer hall. The strong
relationship between the effective surface areas and the surface area of the plan is shown by the solid circle lines.
However, the resultant volume from the integration of these surface areas resulted in a relative increase in the
effective volume to plan the surface area ratio for some geometry. This result is most probably due to the presence
of the dominant hemispherical domes in the main prayer and daily prayer halls of the mosque.
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Ahmad Ridzwan Othman et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 234 ( 2016 ) 45 – 54
Fig.1.Volume plinth area relationship
Source: (Ismail, 2013)
Fig.2. Prayer halls geometrical parameters relationship
Source: (Ismail, 2013)
2.6. Shape
Fig.3. Shaded area effective acoustical dome area of Doğramacızade Ali Paşa Mosque (c: center, r: radius, f: sample focal point).
Source : b. Zühre Sü Gül a, ⇑, Mehmet Çalıs kan c (2013)
Speech intelligibility is the primary acoustical concern and necessitates suitable designation of volume, the
geometry of the main space and appropriate use of acoustically absorptive and diffusive materials as finish surfaces
(Zühre Sü Gül & Mehmet Çalıskan, 2013). He stated that acoustical design should be integrated into the architecture
in the very early stages of concept design of a mosque. During schematic design, major geometric forms are
generated and a material selected to solve aesthetic and acoustical concerns. As previously mentioned, the dome is
the symbolic shelter element of traditional mosque model. He studied the case of Doğramacızade Ali Paşa Mosque,
50 Ahmad Ridzwan Othman et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 234 ( 2016 ) 45 – 54
in which the architect specified a modest-sized stained glass dome to embrace architectural aesthetics and minimize
probable acoustical defects. The ratio of the effective surface area to the effective volume for the three prayer halls
is plotted in Figure 4. The effect of the large hemispherical domes in reducing the surface area is represented by the
solid square plots. The upper curves in Table 4 clearly show the low surface area/volume (SA/V) ratio of the sphere
compared with the other geometrical shapes.
Fig.4. The variation of Surface Area/Volume as a function of length for some solids
Source (Ismail, 2013)
2.7. Material
Ismail (2013) found that most contemporary mosques have sound-reflecting materials on most of its internal
surfaces, except at the floor level and on horizontal surfaces that are usually carpet finished. Doors made of wood
and large openings are probably of single glazing. The positioning of the central chiller units or stand-alone split
units inside designated spaces or on rooftops amplifies the background noise levels inside prayer areas and affects
the acoustic spatial tranquility of space.
Table 2. Sound absorption and scattering coefficients of materials
Source: Zühre Sü Gül & Mehmet Çalıskan (2013)
2.8. Role of acoustic design towards the comfort of the worshipper
As studied by Berardo Naticchia (2007), buildings are often inserted in highly inhabited urban areas, near
infrastructures and plants radiating high noise levels, the strategic importance of this task is increasing, together with
the importance of acoustic comfort inside buildings. They state that acoustic comfort is defined by reducing the
noise to an acceptable level.
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3. Research methodology
In this research, the method that will be used is a qualitative method. The qualitative method investigates the why
and how in this topic, based on analysis of information such as interviews and group discussions, observation and
reflection field notes, various texts, pictures, and other materials. According to McNamara (1999), who also
mentioned that interviews are particularly useful for getting the story behind a participant's experiences. The
interviewer can pursue in-depth information around a topic. Interviews may be useful as a follow-up to certain
respondents to questionnaires.
This chapter is divided into two main parts; the first part explained the strategy was chosen and the second part is
about the methodologies chosen. The first part explains the surveys, which also included on the scope of study upon
mosque with acoustic designs and the choice of Masjid Al-Hussain as the mosque chosen in Perlis. While, on the
other hand, the second part is divided into two phases – preliminary study and special study that also included
methods for the data collection.
3.1. Case study, Masjid Al-Hussain
The sample mosque was Masjid Al-Hussain situated in Kuala Perlis, Perlis. The study was carried out on various
age groups of worshipers that are at the mosque with an age range of six to seventy years old. The mosque was a
rectangular plan connected with a 50-metre bridge. The Mihrab’s plan ends with semi-circular and formed in
concaved. The main prayer hall has only one door with eight side windows and another window on the qibla wall.
The unpainted walls of the mosque adorned with corals, quartz, granite, marble and pebbles with four (4) free
standing columns. The dome made from two layers of aluminium, with a layer of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF)
protecting its surface.
3.2. Instruments
This study was carried out through interviews, observations and behaviour mapping. Furthermore, the researcher
used the participatory technique in conducting this research on worshiper behaviour. According to (Seamon, 2000)
as cited by (Azlina & Zulkiflee, 2012), this approach discovers and defines the situation or experiences of people
with the environment. Therefore, this approach was done to know how the importance of acoustic design in the
mosques towards the comfort of the worshippers. The study was through observations of worshipers during the
Jemaah prayer and motivation lectures. The worshipers were also interviewed through several questions to facilitate
a more precise answer. Their feedbacks are analyzed comparatively to determine whether or not, the acoustic design
is importance toward the comfort of the worshipers in the mosque.
3.3. Observation
The first instrument of analysis is through observation. A systematic observation was made to observe the
worshipers behaviour whether they are comfortable or not when they in the mosque during the Jemaah prayer or
lectures. The researcher started the observation during Maghrib prayer. The observation was carried out during
Maghrib prayer that is at 7.30 p.m. and during lectures after the prayer. The observation also was made to observe
the preferable space chosen when they want to do the worship activities or sit when to hear the lectures in the
mosque.
3.4. Interviews
The second instrument of the study is through interviews. The interviews were carried out by the researcher with
the selected worshipers from the mosque.
The interview questions are:
x Are you aware the importance of acoustic design in a mosque toward the comfort of the worshipers?
52 Ahmad Ridzwan Othman et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 234 ( 2016 ) 45 – 54
x Is the sound waves from the sea disturb the worship activities?
x Is there any seating preference during motivation lectures? Why?
x Will good acoustic design bring positive effect toward the comfort of the worshipers? Why?
x Should acoustic design approach be applied on every mosque?
3.5. Procedure
Data collection was carried out during the Maghrib’s prayer and Maghrib’s lectures. The reason for choosing
Maghrib time to conduct the research is because the number of worshipers is more compares to the other times.
Noise from the surrounding is also higher during that time. Therefore, the effective acoustic design of the mosque
can be analyzed accordingly. The observations were from 6.45 pm, about 30 minutes before Maghrib, during the
prayer till the following motivation lecture ended. Interviews were carried out immediately before the worshipers
dispersed. For references and record purposes a camera used to capture images of the interiors and the surrounding.
4. Data analysis and finding
4.1. The case study
The case study of the research is a mosque located at Kuala Perlis, Perlis. The mosque has a 50-meter bridge
connected to the main prayer hall above the water as seen in Figure 5. There are a few "waqaf" along the waterfront
for the convenience of the guests while waiting for the prayer time. The landscape pattern of the mosque showed a
combination of open spaces, water element and, of course, the indoor space.
a) (b)
Fig.5. 50 meter bridge connects to the main prayer hall
4.2. Acoustic design
The plan of the mosque is rectangular in shape. The Mihrab’s plan ends with semi-circular and formed in
concaved as represented in Figure 6. As studied by Ismail (2013), the circular shape and quarter spherical top of the
Mihrab was geometrically developed to improve the reflected sound component towards the worshipper’s direction.
The main prayer hall has only one door with eight side windows and another one window on the qibla wall. The
door was always closed to prevent the unwanted sound from the outside. The walls of the mosque are unpainted but
adorned with corals, quartz, granite, marble and pebbles as seen in Figure 7 with four free-standing columns. It has
been observed that this kind of material of the wall helps to block the noise from the outside that are the wave of the
sea and the vehicles noise from the main road. Besides that, the vegetation around the mosque also helps prevent
and trap the noise go through into the mosque. Based on the research have been done, the dome is made from two
layers of aluminium, with a layer of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) protecting its surface. The floor of the main
prayer hall also fully covered with carpets in Figure 8.
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Ahmad Ridzwan Othman et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 234 ( 2016 ) 45 – 54
Fig. 6. Mihrab Fig. 7. Unpainted walls of the mosque adorned with
coral qua7rtz, granite, marble and pebbles
Fig. 8. Carpeted Main Prayer Hall Fig. 9. The Main Prayer from outside (above water)
Fig. 10.The above the Main Prayer Hall Fig. 11.The placement of Air-Cond Diffuser
4.3. Comfort of worshipers
It has been observed that when the researcher enters the main prayer hall the noised from outside such as the
wave of the sea, people voices, the noised from the boats at the sea and the vehicles from the main road was not
heard. The presence of air-conditioner unit helps to reduce the usage of fans. Therefore, the noise from the fans can
be avoided. The worshipers in the mosque can devote in doing their worship activities with the absent of noise from
the outside. During Maghrib prayer, it has been observed that the voice of Imam when reciting the Holy Quran was
clearly heard. Meanwhile, when the lectures begin after the Maghrib prayer, it was found that the worshipers have
their seating preferences depending on the age group. It is because the lectures can be heard clearly although the
worshipers did not sit in front as long they are in the prayer hall.
54 Ahmad Ridzwan Othman et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 234 ( 2016 ) 45 – 54
5. Conclusion and recommendation
5.1. Conclusion
Based on the researched, it can be concluded that this paper has focused on the importance of acoustic design in
mosque towards the comfort of the worshippers. Based on the observation and interview, it can be seen that the
mosque applied the acoustic design. Although the acoustic design was not that perfect, the acoustic design is still
acceptable. Through observation and interview, it can be concluded that the Al-Hussain Mosque applied good
acoustic design through carpet flooring, walls adorned with corals, quartz, granite, marble and pebbles, and the
mihrab is of semi-circular shape.
However, in Malaysia setting especially in the village, most of the mosques do not take this issue as a vital thing
to be addressed. Some of the mosque designers or architects just give the priority on the aesthetics or the form and
some of the mosques merely focused to provide as much space as possible to cater for more worshipers.
Besides that, this research indicates that there is a correlation between the acoustic designs of the mosque and the
comfort of the worshipers. The worshipers do need a comfortable space for them to carry out the worship activities
such as Jemaah prayer, to listen to speeches or lectures, to recite the Holy Quran and many more. In conclusion, the
condition for the best acoustic comfort for the worshipers is where the unwanted or annoying sound level and noise
is at its lowest.
5.2. Recommendation
Several recommendations are proposed for future research:
x To use a better equipment for the calculation of acoustic comfort in the mosque.
x The research must be conducted at least more than one mosque to make a comparison between the mosques
and get a better result.
x The research period must be long enough for a researcher to study and analyze the results properly.
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