Delivering high-quality auditorium acoustics for SAGA City of Light, the 46,000 m² immersive entertainment destination developed by Puy du Fou in Shanghai, required addressing a particularly complex programme of spaces, including performance venues, exhibition areas, visitor circulation, restaurants, back-of-house staff areas, office facilities and technical spaces, all operating simultaneously within a shared architectural identity. Effective theater soundproofing between adjacent attractions became a critical design parameter, as each space generated distinct noise profiles that needed to remain contained without compromising the narrative atmosphere or visitor immersion of neighboring zones. Coordinating these requirements across such varied programmes demanded close alignment with the architectural, MEP and theatre design teams from the earliest concept phases.
We provided full acoustic consultancy across all design and construction phases of the Xujiahui project, integrating performance targets into the architectural concept while ensuring each space responded to its specific use and audience expectations. Our scope included architectural acoustic reviews, acoustic sound insulation studies for airborne and impact noise, reverberation analyses, environmental noise control assessments for building services, and detailed technical specifications for walls, ceilings, floors, doors and glazing systems. Particular attention was given to performance spaces, visitor circulation areas and hospitality environments where acoustic quality directly conditions the visitor experience. Working alongside the architectural and technical teams, we used advanced acoustic simulation and measurement tools to optimise acoustic performance across multiple zones, coordinating recommendations with the wider design strategy at each project stage. Archetype joined the project team as design partner.
The acoustic strategy contributed to creating an immersive destination where performances, visitor circulation and hospitality activities coexist without compromising sound quality or visitor comfort across the 46,000 m² development. Speech intelligibility was optimised in performance and exhibition spaces, sound transmission between adjacent attractions was effectively controlled, and background noise levels met the stringent criteria required for narrative immersion and storytelling impact. Each space was calibrated to its specific function while maintaining a consistent visitor experience throughout the project, demonstrating how rigorous acoustic consultancy can be embedded within a complex entertainment destination without affecting its creative ambitions.
