WhisperingGalleryModen

WhisperingGalleryModen is a conceptual project and educational program that explores the acoustics of whispering gallery phenomena in curved interior spaces. Named for the well-known acoustic effect and for the city of Modena, Italy, the project investigates how concave surfaces can transmit sound in unexpected ways and how human hearing interprets reflected speech.

Origins and goals: Initiated as a collaboration between the Department of Architecture and the Heritage Institute in Modena, the project began in 2021 as a theoretical study and evolved into demonstrations, simulations, and public exhibitions designed to raise awareness of acoustic heritage and architectural design.

Design and components: The hypothetical installation centers on a circular gallery space with a smooth, curved wall and minimal interruptions to reflect sound. Measurements are collected with impulse responses, and simulations model sound paths. Public demonstrations pair visitors at different points to illustrate whispered communication.

Acoustic principles: The effect relies on concentrated sound paths produced by reflections from a concave surface. At certain geometries, whispered speech can be heard clearly at distant locations due to constructive reflections, while background noise degrades intelligibility. Factors include wall finish, geometry, audience presence, and temperature.

Impact and reception: Used in teaching modules for students of acoustics and historic preservation, WhisperingGalleryModen also functions as a small-scale exhibit about how historical spaces were designed to project sound and how modern techniques model and measure these phenomena.

See also: Whispering gallery; Architectural acoustics; Acoustic heritage; Modena.