- Project: Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium basketball arena
- Location: Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China
- Venue Type: Indoor multipurpose sports and event arena
- Gymnasium Area: 48,210 m²
- Competition Floor: 70 m × 40 m
- Audience Capacity: Approximately 12,737 spectators
- Acoustic Scope: Ceiling-mounted three-dimensional spatial sound absorber matrix
- Material Requirement: Class A fire-rated, environmentally responsible acoustic materials
- Objective: Prevent echo defects and reduce reverberation time
- Result: The completed arena met the specified reverberation-time design standard
Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium required an arena acoustic treatment that could control reverberation without compromising the large overhead volume or the venue’s demanding construction program. LEEYIN supplied a ceiling-mounted matrix of three-dimensional spatial sound absorbers for the basketball arena. The completed installation met the specified reverberation-time design standard and received positive recognition from both the contractor and the owner.
Project takeaway: In a large indoor arena, placing broadband absorption in the overhead volume can control reflected energy at scale while keeping walls, seating and event infrastructure available for their primary functions.
The Acoustic Brief
Shenzhen Bay Sports Center sits on the Shenzhen Bay waterfront and combines a stadium, gymnasium, swimming venue, athlete facilities, public fitness spaces and commercial amenities. The gymnasium itself covers 48,210 m² and contains a 70 m by 40 m competition floor, 23 private boxes, two VIP lounges and approximately 12,737 spectator seats.
The indoor arena supports table tennis, badminton, volleyball, basketball and gymnastics, while its lighting, sound and broadcast infrastructure also allows it to host concerts, corporate events, product launches and other large-format programs. This mix of uses made reverberation control a core functional requirement rather than a finishing detail.
Large multipurpose sports spaces commonly face long sound decay and reduced intelligibility because of their volume and extensive reflective surfaces. Research on multipurpose sports venues likewise identifies excessive reverberation as a recurring acoustic challenge that must be addressed through architectural and electroacoustic planning. For further technical context, see this sports-stadium acoustics study from National Cheng Kung University.
Why the Basketball Arena Needed Overhead Reverberation Control
The basketball arena had to remain suitable for both competitive sport and amplified events. In this setting, uncontrolled reflections can lengthen sound decay, make announcements harder to understand and reduce the definition of amplified music.
The project therefore focused on three practical requirements:
- Reduce reverberant energy across a broad frequency range.
- Use the high ceiling zone efficiently without obstructing lighting, broadcast or event systems.
- Meet fire-safety and installation requirements within a compressed construction schedule.
The Solution: A Three-Dimensional Spatial Sound Absorber Matrix
Key definition: A spatial sound absorber is a suspended three-dimensional acoustic element that exposes multiple faces to the sound field. Compared with a flat two-dimensional treatment, this geometry increases the active absorption area and supports broadband reverberation control in large-volume rooms.
LEEYIN supplied a matrix of spatial sound absorbers above the basketball court. The three-dimensional form provided more exposed absorption area than a conventional flat element and widened the effective absorption range. Distributed across the ceiling zone, the matrix was designed to interrupt persistent reflections, prevent echo defects and shorten reverberation time.
The solution used Class A fire-rated, environmentally responsible materials, as recorded in the project documentation. A simplified installation method also helped the project team reduce time spent on site while meeting the acoustic design requirement.
For product-level construction options, dimensions and suspension formats, see LEEYIN’s spatial sound absorber range. The exact product model, absorber quantity, coverage area and laboratory absorption data for this project are not included in the available project file and should be confirmed before adding them to a technical specification.
Installation Strategy for a Fast-Track Venue
Construction began in June 2009, with the sports center required for the opening of the 26th Summer Universiade on August 12, 2011. Excluding commissioning, the overall construction period was less than two years. Within that program, the acoustic package had to be efficient to install and compatible with the overhead systems.
The project approach can be summarized in four steps:
- Coordinate the absorber matrix with the ceiling zone. The suspended treatment had to coexist with lighting, sound, broadcast and structural systems.
- Use three-dimensional elements to increase exposed absorption area. This made effective use of the overhead volume.
- Apply Class A fire-rated acoustic materials. The material selection responded to the safety expectations of a major public venue.
- Simplify on-site installation. The installation method reduced site time while preserving the planned acoustic layout.
Performance Result
After installation, the basketball arena’s indoor reverberation time met the project’s design standard. The contractor and owner both recognized the delivered result.
The available project documentation does not state the target or measured reverberation time in seconds. For that reason, this case study reports the verified acceptance result without inventing a numerical value. If the original acoustic test report becomes available, the strongest future update would be a before-and-after table covering octave-band reverberation time and the applicable acceptance condition.
Verified Outcome
- Ceiling-mounted spatial absorbers were installed as a distributed matrix.
- The three-dimensional elements increased active absorption area and supported broader-frequency treatment.
- The material package met the project’s recorded Class A fire-rating requirement.
- The simplified installation method reduced installation time.
- Post-installation reverberation time met the specified design standard.
What This Arena Acoustic Treatment Demonstrates
The Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium project shows how large-venue acoustics can be integrated into the overhead architecture rather than treated as an afterthought. The strategy is especially relevant to arenas where wall area is interrupted by seating, circulation, scoreboards, screens and operational equipment.
Unlike a single flat treatment zone, a distributed three-dimensional absorber matrix uses multiple exposed faces to interact with the sound field. For a multipurpose arena, that makes the ceiling volume an active part of the reverberation-control system.
Architects and contractors planning similar venues can also review LEEYIN’s stadium acoustic design guide and indoor sports hall case study.
Conclusion: Integrating Acoustic Performance into a Landmark Arena
The Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium arena acoustic treatment combined a three-dimensional spatial sound absorber matrix, Class A fire-rated acoustic materials and a simplified installation method. This overhead strategy controlled echo and reverberation while fitting the delivery requirements of a 12,737-seat multipurpose venue.
Planning a stadium, arena or sports hall? Contact leeyin acoustic to review the venue volume, intended uses, reverberation target, fire requirements and installation constraints before the acoustic package is finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions
What acoustic problem was addressed at Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium?
The project addressed echo defects and excessive reverberation in the basketball arena. Because the gymnasium is a large multipurpose space used for sports, announcements and amplified events, the acoustic treatment needed to reduce reflected energy while preserving the venue’s operational flexibility.
What acoustic treatment was installed?
LEEYIN supplied a ceiling-mounted matrix of three-dimensional spatial sound absorbers. The elements exposed multiple surfaces to the sound field, increasing the active absorption area compared with flat treatment and supporting broader-frequency reverberation control across the large indoor volume of the venue.
Why use spatial sound absorbers in a sports arena?
Spatial sound absorbers make productive use of the overhead zone, where they can interact with reflected sound without occupying seating, circulation or event areas. Their three-dimensional form also provides more exposed absorption area, making them well suited to large-volume arenas and sports halls.
Did the completed arena meet its acoustic target?
Yes. The available project record states that the basketball arena’s reverberation time met the specified design standard after installation. The source file does not provide the target or measured value in seconds, so no unverified numerical performance claim has been added.
What information is needed to design a similar arena acoustic treatment?
A project team should confirm the room volume, seating condition, event uses, target reverberation time, background-noise limits, fire rating, suspension constraints and coordination with lighting, HVAC and audiovisual systems. Acoustic modeling or calculation should then determine absorber type, coverage and placement.
