USER PERCEPTIONS AND PREFERENCES OF ACOUSTIC COMFORT PARAMETERS IN LARGE GATHERING FACILITIES IN YOLA, NIGERIA

Acoustic comfort is fundamental to the functionality of conference centres and other large gathering facilities where speech communication constitutes the primary activity. However, the acoustic performance of such facilities is often insufficiently considered during architectural design, particularly in developing-country contexts. This study investigated acoustic comfort parameters, users’ perceptions and preferences in large gathering facilities in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study identified key acoustic design parameters, assessed users’ perceptions of existing acoustic conditions and appraised users’ preferences for acoustic parameters in future gathering facilities. A descriptive survey component of a mixed-method research design was adopted. A structured questionnaire was administered to 120 potential users selected through purposive and stratified random sampling. Data were analysed using frequencies and percentages. Results showed that 93.3% of respondents were aware of acoustic comfort. Ceiling height (81.7%), room shape (78.3%) and wall finishes (77.5%) were the most frequently identified architectural factors affecting sound quality, while 70.0% identified speech intelligibility as the most critical acoustic parameter. Although 81.7% rated existing sound quality as fair, 72.5% often experienced difficulty hearing speakers and 65.0% described background noise as moderate. Regarding preferences, 73.3% preferred moderately quiet environments, 79.2% prioritized good sound distribution, 84.2% considered sound-absorbing finishes important or very important, 80.8% preferred combining natural acoustic design with electronic amplification, and 87.5% regarded external-noise isolation as very important. The findings reveal a substantial gap between existing acoustic conditions and users’ desired acoustic environments. The study concludes that conference and large gathering facilities in Yola should integrate acoustic considerations from the earliest stages of architectural design, with particular emphasis on room geometry, speech intelligibility, sound distribution, reverberation control, absorptive materials and external-noise isolation.