Hemp Acoustics

This project investigates and proposes design and fabrication methods for hemp-based heat-pressed acoustic tiles. The study results in new procedural design methods for creating bespoke visual-acoustic modules and knowledge of how the studied hemp-based tiles can impact the acoustic environment. 

Experiments are developed in two parallel tracks of material-forming processes and computational analysis and design proposition processes. Based on a linear press method, formwork is developed for heat-pressing. Design of the heat-press process is central to steering the bicomponent material used, as to allow both polymer matrix and fibres to be modified for local density properties. 

By pressing the heated formwork into the hemp composites, the density of the material is transformed locally. This enables a change in sound absorption characteristics induced by the changed density of the material. 

A computational investigation model is then developed with a generative algorithmic procedure which compose a wall segment of 3x2m with a distinct press pattern. Once the pattern and tiling are generated, the density properties, informed by the material studies, are evaluated, which enables the computing of sound absorption characteristics of the entire wall.  The room acoustic properties is then computed for each generated material-geometric proposition, allowing the investigation of a more extensive set of design proposals and the direct acoustic impact of the material and space.

From the pool of computed versions a tile and a composition is chosen the testing as a complete prototype setup. The tiles are assembled, installed and tested for room acoustic articulation. The room acoustic conditions computed in the developed design model and the empirical results from the measurement studies show strong alignment.