With the advent of new audio technology these same previously helpful architectural elements actually create a great deal of reflected sound or reverberation. The amount of time it takes for sound waves to stop reflecting around a room and fade completely becomes an important factor and the longer it takes for each sound to end, the more distorted the sounds are.  Subsequently, as they build it becomes uncomfortably loud, and language increasingly unintelligible. In order to capture some of this reverberating sound we need to employ material that intercepts and absorbs the travelling sound waves.  These materials can be simple fabric wrapped insulated panels, curtains, or any soft or porous material that will not reflect sound. 

Fabric wrapped panels can be the most effective, cost sensitive and least obvious option. They can be customized to fit the space in color and texture and can be simple or complex acoustic panels that can be mounted directly on a wall surface or suspended vertically (baffles) and or horizontally (clouds).  These offer great flexibility in both design and application, and are able to provide immediate complimentary solutions. They can be traditional in nature, in color and texture or contemporary depending on the intended results as the choices in fabric print, color, and texture, and the shape and type are extensive.   

If it is desired, there are beautiful acoustic wood options that fit well within a traditional wood décor, and also mix well into very contemporary designs, but the cost begins to creep a bit.   Acoustic wood elements can be used in many and different ways to achieve the level of sound mitigation required.  Fortunately, most design professionals today are familiar with all or most of the options and choices and can help to guide the selection of the materials to ensure that they fit within the intended concept and do not detract from the grandeur of the intended design. 

The options do not have to alter or compromise the traditional design of a worship space.   To have minimal change, you may decide to stay with a light color scheme, similar or contrasting to the walls and ceilings you can add texture and a bit of interest without cluttering the existing layout.  However, you are also not limited to neutral options!  Acoustical treatment has become more designer-friendly in recent years.  For example, Clouds can be sculpted into forms of clouds, take a moulded shape of a dove in flight, create a mosaic or mural detail or encompass a low profile LED lighting recessed into the form of the cloud or baffle.

It is increasingly common for design to incorporate custom-made details, shapes and sizes, with countless colors and textures of fabric. Acoustic panels can have design cut outs, be 3D, geometric shapes and etching, create murals, or can be printed with high resolution graphics or photos, and arranged in any way a designer can dream of.  So, while it may seem initially to be best to select something that will easily fold into the space or disappear into the background of an existing meeting area, design flexibility now exists to create an architectural acoustic detail that compliments and improves the original design and may even create a focal point, and not just provide a sound management solution.