Project Description
Overview
The Mikhail Chekov Riga Russian Theatre, known locally as the Riga Russian Theatre, was initially established in 1883 and is the oldest Russian theatre in the world outside of Russia itself. The theatre underwent an extensive renovation in between 2010-2011.
Program
The WSDG design team was tasked with room and electroacoustic recommendations and A/V systems design.
Design
The main hall is largely used for dramatic works and was initially designed for a low reverberation time accordingly. The time however was too low and unfavorable to performers. A target value of 1.3s was sought, and to facilitate such the WSDG design team recommended that the absorber panels on the rear wall be replaced with scattering / reflecting surfaces. Computer simulations were utilized to assign positions to new loudspeakers and subwoofers.
In the small hall, additional measures were used to reduce the high absorption and to increase the reverberation time. The foyer and rehearsal rooms by contrast had very long reverberation times and as such absorbers were introduced in the walls and ceilings of these areas.