Absorbent Treatment in a Multi‑purpose Hall

Ateneu Vilassanès

The Ateneu Vilassanès is a historic cultural institution in Vilassar de Mar, founded in 1883 under the name Ateneu Vilassanès de la Classe Obrera, with the mission of providing education and recreational activities to the local working class.

In its early years, the institution organized dances, theatrical performances, choir activities, and established both a library and a school where subjects such as writing, reading, arithmetic, grammar, geography, and drawing were taught. The school remained active until 1934 and played an essential role in the literacy of many workers.

Between 1931 and 1937, the Ateneu experienced a period of great cultural activity. However, during the Spanish Civil War, the building was occupied by the national army, leading to the suspension of all activities.

In April 2019, the Vilassar de Mar City Council acquired the Ateneu’s theatre—originally built in 1886—with the goal of restoring it. After two years of refurbishment work and nearly one million euros of investment, the theatre reopened in March 2025, offering the community a fully modernized venue for cultural and social events.

The renovation project not only focused on aesthetic and functional improvements, but also placed special emphasis on upgrading the acoustic quality of the auditorium to ensure optimal sound conditions for performances, concerts, and theatrical events. Below is a summary of the key aspects of the renovation and the acoustic treatments implemented:

Key Renovation Aspects

Comprehensive Building Refurbishment:
The rehabilitation project lasted almost two years and involved a significant investment to adapt the facility to contemporary requirements. Both the exterior and interior were modernized, including updates to the lobby, seating areas, and access points to create a functional, comfortable, and versatile environment suitable for various cultural events.
Improved Auditorium Layout:
Se ha rediseñado la distribución del auditorio para favorecer una mejor circulación del público y optimizar el confort durante las presentaciones. Todo ello con el objetivo de crear un ambiente propicio para la cultura y el espectáculo en vivo.

Acoustic Treatments Implemented

Absorbent Panels on Walls and Ceilings
High‑density sound‑absorbing materials have been installed on the auditorium’s walls and ceiling. These panels are designed to reduce unwanted sound reflections, minimizing echoes and excessive reverberation. This is essential to ensure that both speech and music are perceived with consistent clarity throughout all areas of the auditorium.
Acoustic Diffusers
In addition to absorption, strategically positioned diffusers have been incorporated to achieve controlled dispersion of sound waves. This measure helps prevent “dead zones” or areas with excessive sound concentration, providing a more balanced listening experience for all attendees.
Bass Traps and Frequency Optimization
Bass traps have been installed to act specifically on low‑frequency ranges, controlling bass buildup that can create a “muddy” effect in the sound. This ensures that both voices and low‑frequency instrumentation are reproduced with greater clarity and precision.
Material Selection and Architectural Design
The selection of materials for the floor, walls, and ceiling has been carried out under very precise acoustic criteria. The integration of these elements into the overall architectural design has made it possible to create an environment with carefully controlled reverberation, facilitating both rehearsals and live performances.Absorbent Panels on Walls and Ceilings

High‑density sound‑absorbing materials have been installed on the auditorium’s walls and ceiling. These panels are designed to reduce unwanted sound reflections, minimizing echoes and excessive reverberation. This is essential to ensure that both speech and music are perceived with consistent clarity throughout all areas of the auditorium.

Acoustic Diffusers

In addition to absorption, strategically positioned diffusers have been incorporated to achieve controlled dispersion of sound waves. This measure helps prevent “dead zones” or areas with excessive sound concentration, providing a more balanced listening experience for all attendees.

Bass Traps and Frequency Optimization

Bass traps have been installed to act specifically on low‑frequency ranges, controlling bass buildup that can create a “muddy” effect in the sound. This ensures that both voices and low‑frequency instrumentation are reproduced with greater clarity and precision.

Material Selection and Architectural Design

The selection of materials for the floor, walls, and ceiling has been carried out under very precise acoustic criteria. The integration of these elements into the overall architectural design has made it possible to create an environment with carefully controlled reverberation, facilitating both rehearsals and live performances.

Impact on the User Experience

Thanks to these treatments, the Ateneu Vilassanès now offers high‑quality acoustics, achieving the following:

Clarity in Sound Projection
The combination of absorption and diffusion ensures that every spoken word and musical note is heard with precision and clarity.
Uniform Acoustic Coverage
Sound is distributed evenly throughout the auditorium, benefiting both the seats closest to the stage and those located further away.
Flexibility for Different Types of Events
Whether concerts, conferences, theatrical performances, or cultural events, the venue adapts to the acoustic requirements of each format, guaranteeing an enriching experience for the audience.

In summary, the renovation of the Ateneu Vilassanès has been comprehensive, combining aesthetic and functional modernization with a significant investment in advanced acoustic treatments. These changes ensure that the space not only looks refreshed but also offers top-notch acoustic conditions for cultural and artistic activities.

At Acústica Integral, we've done our part by providing the walls with absorbent acoustic treatments based on our Acustiart-P tensioned fabric system. This acoustic treatment is very versatile and allows us to adapt the solution to the specific needs of the project.