Reducing Echo in a School Gym with Acoustic Panels

Project Overview

DECIBEL was chosen to provide an acoustic solution for the Doris Tenedi Language School gym in Bulgaria. The school, founded in 1994, offers a full educational cycle from pre-school to high school, focusing on German and English language instruction. Its campus includes modern facilities such as study halls, multimedia rooms, a library, a swimming pool, and a large gym.

The school needed to reduce the strong echo in the gym and improve speech clarity during sports classes and school events. DECIBEL was tasked with designing and installing an effective acoustic treatment that would not interrupt the school schedule.

Why Acoustic Treatment Matters

In school environments, clear sound is essential. Students cannot hear their teachers well when a space has too much echo. This leads to confusion, poor focus, and discomfort during lessons.

Gyms are large and hard-surfaced rooms that often have long reverberation times. Without acoustic treatment, sounds bounce from wall to wall and create noise that is hard to control. Reducing echo in such spaces improves communication and allows the room to be used for more than just sports.

Challenge

The main problem was the strong echo in the gym. This made it difficult for students to hear their teachers clearly during physical education classes. The school also wanted to use the gym for concerts, festivals, and events.

However, installation had to be done without interrupting school activities. This meant working only during weekends. The solution also had to match the large size and acoustic needs of the room.

Scope of Work

• Acoustic measurements of the gym
• Calculation of echo and reverberation levels
• Design of panel layout and surface coverage
• Selection of appropriate acoustic materials
• Weekend-only installation to avoid disrupting classes

Solution

DECIBEL developed a complete acoustic treatment plan for the gym. After measuring the reverberation time, the team calculated how many panels were needed and where to place them for the best result. The panels were installed over several weekends to avoid any interference with school hours.

Result

The echo and reverberation in the gym were significantly reduced. Teachers and students now report much clearer sound during classes. The improved acoustics bring comfort and calm to the space.

The gym is now suitable not only for sports but also for large events, which was the main goal of the school management. The room can now host celebrations, concerts, and school gatherings with better sound quality.

Ready to Improve Your School’s Acoustics?

Explore our range of acoustic panels or contact DECIBEL to get started with your custom acoustic project.