Performing Arts & Culture
Torino Esposizioni
Central Civic Library
and Teatro Nuovo
design team: Rafael Moneo, Isolarchitetti, ICIS
client: Onleco
where: Turin
when: 2022 – 2026
render: © Isolarchitetti
WHAT WE DID
Predictive Noise
Impact Assessment
Predictive Assessment of Building
Acoustic Performance
Acoustic
Design
The acoustic design for Torino Esposizioni supports the adaptive reuse of two very different spaces: the Teatro Nuovo and the new Central Civic Library.
While theatre acoustics is a well-established field with consolidated design approaches, the contemporary library raises new questions: how can acoustic comfort be designed in spaces that are no longer intended solely for quiet reading and study, but also for a wide range of activities, interaction, and social engagement?
The challenge becomes even more complex within a large historic landmark, where architectural interventions are necessarily limited by the building’s heritage value.
Acoustic comfort is not absolute silence.
It is making a place enjoyable to be in.
In the absence of specific design guidelines, the project also evolved into a research activity developed in collaboration with the Politecnico di Torino. Through immersive acoustic simulations and cognitive testing, the study explored how different acoustic conditions influence concentration and users’ perception of space.
The research showed that moderate noise levels and longer reverberation times are not necessarily perceived as disturbing, opening new perspectives on the design of contemporary libraries.
