Acoustic Evaluation of Open Mosque with the Consideration of Worshippers Occupancy

Worship activities performed in mosques like prayers and sermons tend to rely on speech, yet the most prevalent issue found in Indonesian mosques is related to acoustic quality. This is mainly due to the lack of acoustical considerations, one of which is the fluctuating number of worshippers present in the room. In this study, the addition of people organized in rows is being considered to investigate its effect on mosque acoustics, specifically in an open-type structure with large wall openings. Simulations were conducted on a 3D model analyzing room acoustics parameters across various occupancy scenarios. Results show that occupancy level affects reverberation time significantly up until the addition of the first worshipper row, and speech clarity up until the fifth. Overall, both parameters are sufficient at all levels of occupancy. The challenge lies in achieving adequate sound distribution, particularly in the front corners of the room.