EVALUATION OF ACOUSTIC COMFORT IN ASSEMBLY BUILDINGS: CASE STUDY TRINITY CHAPEL MODIBBO ADAMAWA UNIVERSITY, YOLA

Acoustic comfort is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of assembly buildings, directly impacting user satisfaction and the functional purpose of spaces designed for worship and communication. This study evaluates the acoustic performance of Trinity Chapel at Modibbo Adama University, a multipurpose hall in a tropical context, to investigate the significant performance gap between its existing conditions and international standards. A mixed-methods case study design was employed, integrating objective quantitative measurements of reverberation time (RT60), noise levels, and speech intelligibility with qualitative data from structured questionnaires and interviews with chapel users. The findings revealed objective acoustic deficiencies, including an excessively high reverberation time (up to 4.97 seconds) that far exceeds the recommended 1.0–2.0 seconds for assembly spaces. Speech intelligibility was poor, particularly at the rear of the chapel (STI ≈ 0.40), falling below the benchmark of ≥ 0.60 for high clarity. Internal noise levels also exceeded recommended standards. These quantitative results strongly converged with user perceptions, as a majority of respondents reported significant issues with long echoes (69%), poor speech clarity (71%), and overall discomfort, which diminished the worship experience and rendered seminars inaudible. Architectural features—including the chapel's elongated geometry, reflective terrazzo floors, PVC ceilings, and painted masonry walls—were identified as the primary contributors to the poor acoustic performance. The study concludes that Trinity Chapel's acoustic environment fails to meet functional requirements, underscoring the need for targeted retrofitting. Recommendations include the installation of sound-absorbing materials, an upgraded public address system, and the integration of absorptive finishes to bridge the performance gap and enhance user comfort