In some cases, drastic improvement may be had by merely quieting a noisy mechanical system. There are, unfortunately, many cases where a perfectly lovely space has been ruined acoustically by loud new ventilation systems. Among old churches this is more often the case than not. When planning the renovation of a worship or performance space, noise control should be the first consideration. Cost Cost is often used as a reason for not sufficiently controlling background noise.
Noise control is fundamentally important to the success of any building for listening.
It can make the difference between success and the usual mediocrity. On a tight budget, the first place to spend money is on noise control. After all, these buildings are often meant to last for more than a hundred years. Conclusion Few people are aware of background noise, but it is everywhere, and the effect is to vitiate the experience of sound. Therefore, silence is the proper background for performance spaces and houses of worship.