As unique spaces integrating artistic performance and spatial technology, panel building materials play a core role in acoustic optimization, visual creation, structural support, and environmental practices in performance theaters. With their diverse physical properties and functional designs, these materials systematically address the complex needs of theaters in sound propagation, aesthetic expression, and safety bearing, becoming key carriers for constructing professional performance spaces.
Image Source：699pic.com
In the field of acoustic regulation, mineral wool boards and sound-absorbing felt achieve precise sound management through porous structures. The dense micro-porous network inside mineral wool boards effectively absorbs high and mid-frequency sound waves. For example, when applied to ceilings and walls in audience areas, their sound absorption coefficient for 1000-4000Hz sounds can exceed 0.8. By controlling the reverberation time to an ideal range of 1.5-2.0 seconds, they ensure the clarity of dialogue and musical instruments. Sound-absorbing felt, with its flexible and porous material, can be embedded in wall or ceiling gaps to effectively absorb low-frequency noise below 500Hz. This demonstrates the comprehensive regulatory capabilities of sound-absorbing panels in complex environments.
In terms of decorative aesthetics, GRG (glass fiber reinforced gypsum) panels have become benchmarks for curved surface modeling due to their high plasticity and acoustic compatibility. With a density of only 1200-1400kg/m³, they can withstand a load of 50kg/m² and can form arc surfaces with a radius of less than 1.5 meters. For example, the 1800㎡ wave-shaped dome of the Shanghai Jiukeshu Future Art Center uses GRG panels' smooth curves in coordination with LED light strips to create a visual image of "surges of sound waves." Meanwhile, GRG panels' acoustic reflection coefficient of 0.78 makes them ideal sound diffusion media. When paired with sound-absorbing materials, they can evenly reflect stage sound energy to the audience, achieving the "symbiosis of acoustic design and aesthetic expression." Metal perforated panels balance transparent visuals and acoustic functions in modern theaters. The aluminum alloy perforated panels used in the Guangzhou Grand Theater, with a 25% perforation rate and 6mm aperture array design, have a mid-high frequency sound absorption coefficient of 0.6-0.8. The fiberglass wool laid on the back further optimizes low-frequency absorption, ensuring sound penetrability while forming natural reverberation through the rigid reflection of the metal material, especially suitable for musicals and other scenes requiring spatial resonance.
In the field of structural safety, hollow plastic stage panels and ceramic-aluminum sound-absorbing panels demonstrate breakthroughs in building material performance. The hollow plastic stage panels, designed with a honeycomb structure of high-density polypropylene (PP), can bear a load of over 500kg per 1.22m×2.44m panel while only weighing 18kg. The non-slip texture with a friction coefficient of 0.6 and the locking connection system enable them to withstand a horizontal thrust of 3m/s. A temporary stage for an outdoor music festival built with these panels carried over 200 performances daily without deformation, demonstrating both lightness and strength. Ceramic-aluminum sound-absorbing panels achieve a functional combination of sound absorption and fire prevention with a composite base material of clay and aluminum powder. Their noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.85 meets the sound absorption requirements for theater walls, while their fire resistance rating reaches GB8624 Class A, being non-combustible and releasing no toxic gases when exposed to open flames. With the installation system of "light steel keel + seismic hangers," they can withstand an 8-magnitude earthquake load.
In terms of environmental protection and energy conservation, recycled polyester fiber sound-absorbing panels and translucent concrete panels demonstrate the sustainable orientation of building material technology. Recycled polyester fiber sound-absorbing panels are made from recycled plastic bottles, reducing 3.2 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per ton of material. Their sound absorption coefficient of 0.8-0.9 and thermal conductivity of 0.035W/(m·K) enable the Shenzhen Pingshan Grand Theater to save about 15% of air conditioning energy annually while achieving waste recycling. Translucent concrete panels combine optical fibers with concrete, meeting a compressive strength of ≥30MPa while conducting natural light through optical fibers, increasing the illuminance of the audience hall in an experimental theater to over 300lux during intermissions and saving approximately 200kWh of artificial lighting electricity per day, achieving the triple efficiency of "load-bearing-transmission-energy conservation."
From sound absorption to decoration, structure to environmental protection, panel building materials construct the core competitiveness of performance theaters through both technical parameters and artistic language. They are not only physical media for sound transmission but also aesthetic carriers for spatial narration—the micro-porous network of mineral wool boards weaves acoustic precision, the curved surface modeling of GRG panels deduces artistic imagination, the structural innovation of hollow plastic panels defines safety boundaries, and the recycling properties of recycled fiber panels mark green heights.
