Sound parameters in mosques

Unlike auditoriums, there are no defined recommendations or rules for the acoustical parameters inside mosques. Most of the existing recommendations are developed for multipurpose halls, for opera or dramatic theaters, and for structures built for organ music. But regarding mosques the elaboration of general sound parameters requires a specific understanding of the acoustical and spiritual environment expected in such structures. Newly defined acoustical parameter values with regard to mosque volumes and types will be addressed here. New treatment rules for closed or courtyard structures are introduced. Especially so-called mosque volume dependent parameters are derived. They allow optimizing the secondary structure of a mosque by considering the primary structure determined by the architecture. Such parameters deal with optimal reverberation time or intelligibility considered for all praying modes at once. Target of the research is to get standard acoustic parameter values especially applicable for mosques.