Diffusion is a popular, effective solution used in professional recording studios, listening rooms, and large auditoriums. Absorption panels can control these problems as well, but can sometimes cause dead sound if too much absorption is used in the small room. Diffusion on the other hand, adds a sense of spaciousness and retains the room’s natural ambiance.

This three-dimensional sound diffusion panel prototype is designed for installation into sound recording spaces or other areas  with acoustical control needs. Using a 7×10 grid array distributed across a 1 foot x 2 foot panel, each element or single ‘pixel’ within the array undergoes a series of modulations in their normal angle, extrusion height and side angles, and central void spaces.

Through these unique modulations per pixel, the panel provides excellent multi-reflection on both vertical and horizontal planes in sound critical spaces. It performs on mid and high frequencies, brightening and clarifying sound and is designed to evenly scatter sound energy and help eliminate comb filtering and flutter echo, acoustical problems that can seriously affect the clarity of sound in a room.

The prototype was parametrically generated through a custom written acoustic form finding algorithm using Rhino3D and Grasshopper. This algorithm allowed for unlimited visual iterations while performing optimization and energy calculation to determine the performant characteristics of each pixel manipulation.

In the next stage of development a mass production strategy will be identified and surface material testing will begin.