Sir Arthur Harold Marshall KNZM FRSNZ FNZIA (15 September 1931 – 31 August 2024) was a New Zealand expert in acoustics design and research. He was professor emeritus of the University of Auckland School of Architecture, and co-founder of Marshall Day Acoustics Ltd in 1981 with Chris Day.

Sir Harold Marshall
Born
Arthur Harold Marshall

(1931-09-15)15 September 1931
Died31 August 2024(2024-08-31) (aged 92)
Auckland, New Zealand
Alma materUniversity of Auckland
University of Southampton
Known forRoom acoustics
Lateral reflections
Awards
Scientific career
Fields
InstitutionsUniversity of Auckland
Marshall Day Acoustics

Marshall is recognised internationally for his contribution to concert hall design, in particular his seminal work with Mike Barron on the importance of lateral reflections. He worked on several major concert hall projects including the Guangzhou Opera House with architect Zaha Hadid and the Philharmonie de Paris with French architect Jean Nouvel.[1]

Marshall died in Auckland on 31 August 2024, at the age of 92.[2] He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Shirley, Lady Marshall, in 2016.[3]

Honours and awards

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Marshall was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1994.[4] He also held Fellowships in the Acoustical Society of America[5] and the New Zealand Institute of Architects.[6]

In 1995, he was awarded the Wallace Clement Sabine Medal by the Acoustical Society of America for his contributions to the field of architectural acoustics, and design of concert halls.[7] In 2006, he received the Gold Medal of the Acoustical Foundation of India.[8]

In the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours, Marshall was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to acoustical science.[9] In 2009, following the restoration of titular honours by the New Zealand government, he accepted redesignation as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.[10]

In 2013, Marshall received the Pickering Medal from the Royal Society of New Zealand.[11] In 2015, he was awarded the Rayleigh Medal by the Institute of Acoustics.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "The Symphonic Hall". Philharmonie de Paris. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  2. ^ "Sir Harold Marshall". The New Zealand Herald. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Shirley Marshall obituary". The New Zealand Herald. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  4. ^ "List of Fellows". Royal Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  5. ^ "ASA Fellows elected from 1971 to 1984". Acoustical Society of America. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  6. ^ "FNZIA Fellows". New Zealand Institute of Architects. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  7. ^ "Wallace Clement Sabine Award – 1995 – A. Harold Marshall". Acoustical Society of America. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  8. ^ "ISRA 2013 Keynote Speakers". Canadian Acoustical Association. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  9. ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2008". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 2 June 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Special honours list 1 August 2009". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Recipients". Royal Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  12. ^ "Sir Harold Marshall Receives Highest Honour In Acoustics". Institute of Acoustics. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
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