Sounds from the Past the Acoustics of Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrasa

Abstract

The Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrasa is considered to be stylistically the most compact and unified of all of Cairo's Islamic monuments. Beside its main function as a place for prayer, its design also allows separate schools for teaching the four Sunni rites; both functions imply the importance of phonological cognition and intelligibility of speech. The acoustical environment within the main Iwan of the Madrasa and Mosque of Sultan Hassan has been investigated and examined through field measurements and room simulation utilizing ODEON to assess the degree of speech intelligibility. The significance of acoustical performance within this space is highlighted in relation to form and texture. Criteria for good acoustics are compared with the spatial requirements and design guidelines. Although field measurements show high reverberation time and echoes at some of the points examined, it does not badly affect the ability of worshipers to follow and understand clearly what is said either in the Mihrab, a half cylinder directed to the Holy Ka'aba in Macca, or Minber (Pulpit). On the contrary it adds the depth and width required for this kind of spiritual performance.