HOUSEs OF WORSHIP
Arguably, the single most important goal of any worship service is to communicate the message. Room acoustics can either assist you with communicating the message or become an obstacle. Poor speech intelligibility, extended reverberation time, excessive stage volume, room resonances and other issues can distract the audience and make it difficult to hear the sermon or participate in worship through music. Clear, intelligible sound is possible with the right plan and execution and we can guide you through the process.
SERVICES
On Site Acoustical Testing
A representative from Haverstick Designs will visit your location to measure the room’s acoustical properties firsthand. Gathering real-world data from your sanctuary or worship space allows us to identify the specific acoustic challenges it presents. Understanding these unique issues is essential—not only for our analysis and recommendations, but also for determining the most effective and budget-conscious solutions tailored to your ministry's needs. We’ll create detailed acoustical models of the space and correlate them with on-site measurements. In addition, we conduct subjective listening tests to fully understand how the room sounds in a worship setting. Our findings will be compiled into a comprehensive report, complete with targeted acoustical recommendations to enhance speech intelligibility and musical clarity during your services.
Remote Acoustical Assessment
Using the information you provide—such as room dimensions, surface materials, and digital photos—Haverstick Designs will develop acoustical models of your worship space to predict and identify potential issues affecting sound quality. If your space has access to an omni-directional measurement microphone and the ability to play back and record a WAV file, we can gather valuable data remotely. This includes key insights like Frequency Response, Impulse Response, and Waterfall Plots—all without the added cost of an on-site visit. This remote option is a cost-effective way to gain a deeper understanding of your room’s acoustics and how they may be impacting your services.
Room Design/Space Planning
The planning stage is the ideal time to bring in a qualified acoustical consultant. If your church is building a new facility or renovating an existing worship space, Haverstick Designs can provide expert guidance on room layout to ensure optimal acoustics. We’ll help you make informed decisions about room dimensions, surface materials, wall and ceiling angles, and other critical design elements—creating a space that enhances both spoken word and musical worship from the ground up.
Sound Isolation Review
Haverstick Designs will evaluate the construction details of your worship space to assess the expected level of sound isolation. Whether you're dealing with noise between rooms, from adjacent spaces, or external sources, we can offer targeted recommendations to help you achieve the appropriate level of sound isolation for your church’s needs. Using advanced software, we can model nearly any wall, ceiling, or floor system to predict Transmission Loss (TL) values and guide you toward effective, acoustically sound solutions.
Be sure to explore our Sound Isolation Simulator, which compares ten different wall assemblies and their effectiveness at blocking sound. It’s a helpful tool for understanding the cost-to-benefit ratio of different construction options—so you can make informed decisions that support both your budget and your ministry goals.
Photorealistic 3D Renderings
In addition to our standard architectural acoustical consulting services, Haverstick Designs also offers photorealistic 3D renderings to visually illustrate how our acoustical solutions will come to life in your worship space. These detailed visualizations help communicate the final design more clearly to your leadership team, congregation, or building committee—bringing a deeper level of understanding and excitement to the project. It's a powerful tool for ensuring everyone involved can see the vision before it's built.
Training Seminars and Articles
Haverstick Designs has years of experience conducting training and seminars across the country focusing on all aspects of acoustics, design and testing. Gavin Haverstick has been a guest lecturer at Purdue University, Indiana University, Butler University, Ball State University, Webster University, University of Saint Francis, Lawrence Tech and Northern Virginia CC. Gavin has also been a featured writer in numerous industry magazines including Mix, Luxury CE, InAVate, Sound & Communications, Technologies for Worship, Performing Songwriter, EQ, among others.
AIA Continuing Education Courses
Since 2018, Haverstick Designs has been a proud sponsor of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In addition to our sponsorship, we also offer various courses to AIA members and firms discussing various aspects of architectural acoustics. These courses help architects carry basic acoustical principles into every project they work on, while also helping optimize the process of working with an Acoustical Consultant when needed. Click here to learn more about these courses, and to contact us if you are interested in setting up a session!
