Multi-Purpose Gym Acoustics
If you speak with very many educators or administrators, you might find that space can be a problem in public and private schools alike. Zoning requirements can make it especially difficult to add more buildings to an existing private school, and even if you get the zoning, sometimes there just isn't the land or resources.
Space can have a tremendous impact on programs that most schools deem valuable and necessary components to a well-rounded education. If there isn't space, the programs do not exist, and students would be unable to participate in drama, music and sometimes even sports.
But what if you take your gymnasium, or the space you intend to use to build a gymnasium, and add technology? Your school gym can become a multipurpose space equipped for drama productions, musical performances, school banquets and teacher's meetings, in addition to being a sports facility.
The idea is to create a space that is multifunctional in both design and application—a space that facilitates many aspects of learning. The result is an efficient gymnasium that moves seamlessly from one program to the next.
Defining Your Needs
Prioritizing your school's needs for the use of a multipurpose gymnasium is the most important step in setting your project into motion. For many schools, versatility is the No. 1 requirement. What does versatility mean for your school gymnasium? Installing lights, a sound system and a stage allows the space to be used for much more than merely as a sports facility. A number of applications—including band and vocal concerts, school assemblies and pep rallies—become possible.
Installing a video projection system gives your teachers a place to show educational films to their students. In addition, it provides the school a space for teacher training and administrative meetings.
However, the most obvious use of a gymnasium is as a sports facility, so you will need to make sure your space is conducive to play. Many schools choose a gym floor that is made of a rubberized material in order to accommodate the needs of its students.
The installation of a portable stage allows for additional convenience when using the gym for sporting events. Another good option is a portable sound booth that can be moved if it becomes a hindrance to an event and a net to protect its equipment—a sound board, light bars and suspended speakers and projectors—when basketballs and volleyballs are flying around the room.
Using Your Space Efficiently
Creating a multifunctional room requires planning. Each element of your school gym needs to work seamlessly in order to provide a smooth transition from one event to the next. For example, you need to have a clear picture of how you will use your gym and choose products accordingly.
You will probably need to plan for plenty of storage to contain materials that are not in use all of the time, such as chairs or any portable equipment. You should make a commitment to use high-quality products to aid in the gym's efficiency.
Considering the Installation of Technology
There are a few things to be aware of when installing technology into a space such as a gym. First, whether building a new gymnasium or adding technology to an existing space, you must have a clear plan for the specific uses of the room. This will determine the types of technology you choose to include in the installation.
When installing a sound system, room acoustics, which refers to how sound behaves in an enclosed space, will influence your choice of technology. The shape of a room and speaker placement can have adverse affects on the performance of sound. A gym's shape and the hard surfaces of the ceiling, walls and floor allow the sound to bounce around and create the echo typical in gymnasiums.
Hiring a professional to calibrate a room's acoustics and to install acoustical treatments, or sound absorption materials and noise insulation, can make up for the disadvantages of the room's shape and the surface materials of walls and floors. A professional integrator can ensure the proper placement of speakers for the installation as well.
The installation of a video projection system requires a clear plan for use as well. You will need to consider how much natural and ambient light your room has, as that will determine the type of projectors you install. If your school's gym has a lot of light, the projectors should be bright enough to accommodate your needs.
The types of projection screen installations can include screens mounted to the wall or screens lowered from the ceiling. The size of the room and the maximum distance your students will be sitting from the projection screen should determine the size of the screen.
The types of lighting you consider for your gym will also depend on how you want to use the room. If you plan to hold commencement or any stage productions, such as drama or music, you will want to include theatrical lighting, which usually features flood lights and spot lights. Incandescent lighting works well for sporting events and assemblies.
When installing technology into a multifunctional space such as a gym, it's important to plan for every possible need that you intend to accommodate. Hiring a professional integrator for the planning and installation will help to ensure your project is successful. It's best to get it right the first time.
Rachel Morgan is the marketing coordinator at Ford Audio-Video, an integrator of audio/video and lighting solutions.
