Acoustic study of the University Chapel of the Institut Catholique de Lille
The restoration of the Institut Catholique de Lille’s University Chapel is part of a vast program to modernize the campus’ heritage. Built between 1911 and 1922, this neo-Gothic chapel is an emblematic building at the heart of Lille’s cultural, academic and spiritual life.
Table of contents
- An ambitious heritage restoration project
- An acoustic mission for versatility
- Acoustic diagnosis: a precise and respectful assessment of the situation
- Technical recommendations: discretion, performance and preservation
- An enhanced space for contemporary uses
- Conclusion: acoustics and heritage, a controlled balance
An ambitious heritage restoration project
This heritage and technical project aimed to preserve the architectural identity of the site while adapting it to contemporary uses, such as religious celebrations, concerts, conferences and examinations. The refurbishment involved a wide range of skills, combining traditional know-how with innovative technical solutions.
An acoustic mission for versatility
The SIM Engineering acoustics consultancy was commissioned to support the restoration, reconciling sound quality, functional versatility and respect for the building’s heritage.
The main acoustic objective was to optimize the venue’s performance for a wide range of uses, without altering its historic character. This implied a detailed approach, sensitive to heritage constraints and capable of guaranteeing intelligibility, listening comfort and musical value, particularly in view of the installation of a new organ in 2021.
Acoustic diagnosis: a precise and respectful assessment of the situation
As early as the diagnosis phase, a detailed acoustic inventory was carried out. Measurements made it possible to evaluate:
– Reverberation time in the nave and aisles,
– Insulation from external noise,
– Speech intelligibility for conferences and celebrations,
– The quality of musical reproduction.
Analysis of the original materials, massing and historic fittings made it possible to identify margins for action compatible with architectural conservation.
Technical recommendations: discretion, performance and preservation
The solutions recommended by the acoustics consultancy were designed to blend discreetly into the existing architecture, without altering its legibility:
– Acoustic treatment of walls using discreet materials, reducing excessive reverberation;
– Choice of suitable furniture, in particular custom-designed modular seating;
– Integration of underfloor heating, without impacting on the sound environment or the aesthetics of the floor;
– Renovation of external joinery, with the addition of high-performance double glazing, while preserving the historic stained-glass windows.
These recommendations enabled us to significantly improve acoustics, particularly for musical events, while enhancing the richness of the new organ’s sound.
An enhanced space for contemporary uses
Since its reopening, the renovated Chapelle Universitaire has hosted a wide variety of events: concerts, lectures, exams and celebrations. The acoustic quality achieved has been acclaimed by artists, lecturers and the public alike, who praise the balance between auditory comfort and heritage ambience.
The venue has thus regained exemplary versatility, meeting today’s functional requirements without denying its spiritual and architectural identity.
Conclusion: acoustics and heritage, a controlled balance
The acoustic study carried out for the University Chapel in Lille demonstrates the relevance of a tailor-made approach, at the crossroads of heritage preservation and adaptation to contemporary uses. By integrating discreet, high-performance acoustic solutions, this project underlines the added value of an acoustic design office specializing in sensitive, complex contexts.
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