Sukar Studios · Acoustic & Audio Engineering
جامع الشيخ عبد الكريم الرفاعي — كفرسوسة، دمشق

Masjid Acoustic & Audio Program — Project Dashboard

RIF-2026-001 Whole-masjid program Updated 1 Aug 2026 Every phase: committee review + independent QA
📄 Open the full engineering study →

Where the project stands

Concept design and the full acoustic analysis are complete and peer-reviewed. The architect's dome + height sections arrived on 1 Aug 2026, confirming the geometry — dome apex ≈ 29.5 m, springing ≈ 15 m, hall 8.3 m, all matching our model. The program is now at the on-site measurement step: a reverberation (RT60) test and a finishes / existing-audio survey, which unlock the final numbers.

Phase 0 — completePhase 1 — in progress→ Handover
8program phases, fully mapped
1 of 8complete · Phase 1 active
×2review gates per phase (committee + engineering QA)
1item on the critical path: on-site RT60 test (days away)
Complete In progress Waiting / blocked Upcoming

⏳ On the critical path

On-site reverberation (RT60) test + finishes / audio survey
Scheduled within days. The last inputs before treatment quantities and final numbers are frozen.

▶ Immediate next step

Finalize the dome model on the confirmed geometry
Architect heights are now locked in; the acoustic model is being re-run on the real dome so the numbers move from indicative to final.

✅ Just completed

Architect sections received — geometry CONFIRMED
Dome apex ≈ 29.5 m, springing ≈ 15 m, hall 8.3 m — matching our model. The dome-focusing finding is now confirmed on measured drawings, not estimates.

The full program — phase by phase

Every phase closes with two sign-offs: a مراجعة اللجنة — committee review (you approve before we proceed) and an independent engineering QA (our internal expert cross-check). Nothing advances until both are clear.

0

Discovery, Data & Concept Design

Complete
  • ✔Architectural CAD ingested & measured (whole building — hall, extension, mezzanine, riwaqs, courtyard, basement)
  • ✔Scale & areas verified Main hall 1,142 m² and all zones confirmed against the drawing schedules.
  • ✔Dome geometry quantified from the drawings ~21.5 m diameter pointed dome — modelled and analysed.
  • ✔Acoustic analysis — reverberation & the dome-focusing problem Identified a distinct ~150–200 ms echo the dome throws onto the congregation.
  • ✔Design direction set — treatment + sound-system architecture + equipment strategy
  • ✔Independent engineering peer review of the analysis Findings cross-checked and refined before issue.
  • ✔Engineering study issued to the committee (this document family)
🕌Committee review: present the study & direction ✅Engineering QA: passed
1

Site Survey & Measurement

In progress
  • ◐Obtain architect's dome apex/springing + sections + ceiling heights Follow-up request sent — awaiting reply. Critical-path item.
  • ○On-site laser survey — dome geometry, clear heights, one reference bay
  • ○Acoustic baseline — reverberation (RT60), speech clarity (STI), background noise at grid points
  • ○Existing audio-system inventory — condition, models, cabling, power
  • ○Wireless radio-frequency scan + regulatory check (for microphones)
🕌Committee review: approve survey scope + set the visit date ✅Engineering QA: verify measured geometry before it drives design
2

Confirmed Acoustic Model — the Dome

Upcoming
  • ○3-D acoustic simulation on the surveyed dome geometry Confirms the focusing/echo and its exact severity on real dimensions.
  • ○Reverberation & coupled-space modelling from measured data
  • ○Speech-intelligibility (STI) prediction from the modelled response
  • ○Front (qibla) wall reflection study
🕌Committee review: present confirmed dome findings ✅Engineering QA: validate the model against measurement
3

Detailed Design & Specification (freeze)

Upcoming
  • ○Final acoustic treatment spec + quantities Dome diffusion (heritage muqarnas/relief), drum-band + rear absorption, drapes, carpet.
  • ○Loudspeaker selection + manufacturer coverage-data proof Proving the array keeps sound on the congregation and off the dome.
  • ○Coverage & uniformity maps, signal-processing schematic, delay/EQ plan
  • ○Microphone & control design — imam / khutbah / recitation, scene presets, emergency bypass
  • ○Final Bill of Materials + investment schedule
🕌Committee review: design & budget approval ✅Engineering QA: full design cross-check before freeze
4

Procurement

Upcoming
  • ○Vendor quotations + logistics (freight, customs)
  • ○Long-lead orders — specialist absorptive materials, steerable loudspeaker arrays
  • ○Commission local heritage craft — muqarnas / decorative plaster diffusion for the dome
  • ○Wireless microphone units — ordered only after radio-frequency clearance
🕌Committee review: purchase authorization ✅Engineering QA: specification-vs-order verification
5

Installation & Wiring

Upcoming
  • ○Heritage-safe mounting — non-invasive brackets, no damage to stone or ornament
  • ○Structured cabling + audio network + power/UPS + hard-wired emergency bypass
  • ○Loudspeaker + equipment-rack installation; basement system tied into the main matrix
  • ○Acoustic treatment install — crown diffusion, drum band, wall panels, drapes
🕌Committee review: mid-installation walkthrough ✅Engineering QA: installation-vs-design audit
6

Commissioning & Acceptance

Upcoming
  • ○Calibration by measurement — delays, directivity, feedback margin, level balance
  • ○Speech-intelligibility verification across the congregation (before / after)
  • ○Scene programming — daily prayer / Jumu'ah / lessons / Ramadan / adhan / courtyard
  • ○Emergency-bypass drill; operator + technician training
🕌Committee review: acceptance sign-off on a live demonstration ✅Engineering QA: final performance verification
7

Handover & Aftercare

Upcoming
  • ○As-built documentation, warranty, and an Arabic operator/maintenance guide
  • ○Post-occupancy check + fine-tuning after real use
🕌Committee review: formal handover ✅Engineering QA: documentation completeness

Open items — what we're tracking

Nothing is left informal. Every dependency, measurement, test, and decision is logged and owned.

⏳ Awaiting input

  • ARCHArchitect: dome apex/springing + sections + ceiling heights (follow-up sent)
  • COMMCommittee: approve survey scope + visit date
  • COMMCommittee: confirm investment tier

📏 Measurements pending

  • SITEDome apex & springing height; hall/extension/mezzanine clear heights
  • SITEReverberation (RT60), speech clarity (STI), background noise (NC)
  • SITEExisting-system inventory; one reference column bay

🧪 Testing & validation

  • TEST3-D dome simulation on surveyed geometry
  • TESTLoudspeaker coverage-data proof (beam control off the dome)
  • TESTFeedback-path check; STI verification at commissioning

✉️ Communications

  • SENT?RFI follow-up to the architect — drafted, ready to send
  • SCHEDCoordinate the on-site survey appointment

🛠️ Procurement & long-lead

  • PROCSpecialist absorptive materials (specific-density mineral wool, acoustic plaster)
  • PROCSteerable loudspeaker arrays (import lead time)
  • PROCLocal heritage craft — muqarnas / plaster diffusion

🗳️ Decisions for the committee

  • DECApprove the survey visit & date
  • DECInvestment tier (Engineered vs Premium)
  • DECWireless-microphone approach (after RF clearance)
A note on the numbers. The design, quantities, and performance targets shown across the program are careful engineering estimates based on the drawings we have. They are confirmed and frozen only after the on-site survey and the 3-D dome model (Phases 1–2). This staged, double-checked process is deliberate — it protects the masjid from surprises and guarantees the final system is engineered to the building as it truly is.