Acoustic Performance Comparison Between the Historic Traditional and Contemporary Forms of Tropical Mosques

Mosques serve not only as places for worship but also reflect unique acoustic properties influenced by their architectural design and materials. This study aims to compare the acoustic features of traditional mosque architecture with those of contemporary designs, examining how spatial shape and materials influence the sound environment. The research was conducted in the Sunan Ampel Great Mosque in Surabaya, Indonesia, as a case study. As the oldest mosque in Indonesia, built in 1421, it showcases traditional Javanese architecture. This mosque has undergone multiple expansions, resulting in four distinct architectural styles, making it an ideal subject for this study. The methodology involved field measurements using the impulse response technique, employing Room EQ Wizard software, an omnidirectional microphone, and a sound level meter. Findings indicate that the area with a contemporary design and flat roof has the most uniform sound pressure level (SPL) distribution compared to other sections. Additionally, the contemporary dome-roofed area has the longest reverberation time (RT). Overall, the contemporary design featuring a smaller pyramidal roof has the best acoustic quality. Meanwhile, the old building area with a pyramidal roof performs moderately overall, better than the dome-roof zone but not as balanced as the smaller pyramidal-roof area. These findings highlight the role of traditional design in shaping the acoustic character of sacred spaces of historical mosques, as well as guide the design of contemporary religious architecture.