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Architecture of Whispering Galleries- St. Pauls Cathedral

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Architecture of Whispering Galleries- St. Pauls Cathedral

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The Whispering Gallery of St Paul’s Cathedral

High inside the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral in London is the famous Whispering Gallery, a semi-elliptical walkway about 30 meters above the ground. It is known for a special acoustic effect—when someone whispers against the wall at one point, a person standing far away on the opposite side can hear it clearly, even though they are more than 30 meters apart. This amazes many visitors because it feels like the two people are standing right next to each other.

The reason this happens is because of the geometry of an ellipse. An ellipse has two special points called foci. One of its most important properties is that any sound (or light) that starts at one focus will bounce off the curved surface and travel directly to the other focus. In the Whispering Gallery, if a person stands at one focus and another person stands at the other, a soft whisper travels along the curved wall and reaches the other person perfectly. This happens without microphones, speakers, or shouting—just the natural design of the room.

This design has even been used in history for strategy. A famous story tells how John Quincy Adams used the same principle in an elliptical chamber in the U.S. Capitol to hear private conversations on the other side of the room. The architecture gave him an advantage because the sound carried directly to where he was sitting.

The Whispering Gallery teaches us that architecture is not only about appearance—it is also about purpose and function. The same geometric principle can be applied to theaters, concert halls, and even modern meeting spaces to improve how sound travels. For STEM and engineering students, it shows how math, science, and creativity can come together to make structures that are both beautiful and practical.

Reference:

https://www.sonicwonders.org/whispering-galleries/

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- The track and field oval is used for athletic events, training, or activities. The oval track is usually used for walking or running, while the inner area is used for jumping, or non-sports events.

- Having the shape of an ellipse is important in a track and field oval because it allows fairness among players and making them cover an equal amount of distance.

- Through this shape, the oval can be space efficient,  allowing other events to happen in the track's inner area.

MANTOS & HERMOSILLA

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Your Mission
Find a real-world example of an ellipse and share it with the class!
Steps to Complete:

1. Research a real-world ellipse example (planetary orbits, architecture, sports fields, etc.)

2. Find or create an image, video, or use AI to generate an illustration of your example

3. Create a post with:

A clear title naming your ellipse example

A brief explanation of how it’s used in the real world

Your image, video, or AI-generated illustration

Tips:

Be creative! Look beyond the obvious examples

Explain why the elliptical shape is important for your example

Make sure your image clearly shows the elliptical shape

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Real-world usage:

· Curvature through circular or elliptical structures helps direct sound efficiently and minimizes reliance on amplification.

· Strategic use of reflective materials (like limestone or designed acoustic panels) can enhance speech clarity and reduce ambient noise.

· Even shape-driven diffusions (as seen in elliptical ceilings) play a pivotal role in achieving balanced sound throughout large performance spaces.

Chang, Lee

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This design in the hotel's lobby ensures enough light to enter the hotel and light up the lobby during the day when less lights/electricity is used. It also creates a sense of elegance and sophistication throughout the hotel lobby.

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A footballs elliptical shape allows it to cut through the air minimizing air resistance and reduces drag. The shape allows for a more accurate trajectory and helps with gripping

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The elliptical shape of an egg is optimal for hatching process. Its shape makes an egg resistant to even pressure (e.g. squeezing) and weak to point pressure (e.g. tapping on sharp edge). Although the brittleness of an egg may seem counterintuitive, in actuality, it is a clever trade-off. The egg is resistant to a bird sitting on it, wind debris, and contact with other eggs, while also allowing for an easy exit for the chick inside the egg without the need for strength. It also requires less nutrients to create, offering a cost-efficient balance between protection and hatchability.

By Co and Vashti

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Whispering Galleries in Architecture and Engineering

Whispering galleries are unique spaces where architecture and geometry create a special acoustic effect. Found in domed or curved structures shaped like an ellipse, they allow two people standing at specific spots to hear each other clearly, even across a large room. Notable examples include St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., and Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

How It Works

The effect comes from the reflective properties of an ellipse. An ellipse has two fixed points called foci. Sound starting at one focus reflects off the curved surface and arrives at the other focus without scattering. In a whispering gallery:

The walls or ceilings are smooth and hard to keep sound from losing energy.

The path length from one focus to the other is always the same, so the sound remains clear.

Even a quiet whisper can be transmitted across the space.

Why It Matters in STEM

Whispering galleries show how mathematics and physics apply in real-world design. They connect concepts like conic sections, wave behavior, and material choice into one practical application. Architects use them to control sound in large spaces, while engineers adapt similar principles in other fields. For us, STEM students, they are a reminder that geometry is a tool for solving real problems in both science and engineering.

Source:

https://www.msichicago.org/explore/whats-here/exhibits/whispering-gallery

Pair:

Yu, Kyle Mitchell P.

Monterde, Josh Emerek M.

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The National Statuary Hall (U.S. Capitol)

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The National Statuary Hall (U.S. Capitol)

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This semi-elliptical room is a chamber where the sculptures of prominent Americans are displayed. Around 218 years ago, it was the meeting place for the U.S. House of Representatives.

“There's an old story, repeated in many books, that the statesman John Quincy Adams would eavesdrop on other politicians through making use of the shape of the room” (Sull Ross State University, 2017)

Using the principles of an ellipse, Adams would place his desk in one focus, and place the opposing legislators in the other. This way, he was able to hear what they were saying, giving him an advantage.

As STEM Engineering students, this teaches us that architecture is not just about the shape, it is also about functionality, strategy, and innovation.

Reference:

Sull Ross State University. (2017). Sulross.edu. https://faculty.sulross.edu/mortiz4/conics11.html

Pair:

Miot, Felip Raimon

Abellanosa, Yuan

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The elliptical shape of a computer mouse is a prime example of how geometric design is useful in the real-world, combining efficiency and engineering principles. Its elongated form can naturally fit in the hand, with the shape evenly distributing the pressure  across your palm and  fingers, reducing strain on your wrist and improving the control you have on your mouse. A circular mouse, for example, would be awkward to hold, or a parabolic one, which could have uncomfortable edges. For STEM engineering students, this design demonstrates how the ellipse allows for precise cursor control in tasks like infrastructure designing, coding, and data analysis. Beyond academics, the mouse’s optimized shape impacts fields like gaming and software development, proving that even small design choices can significantly improve functionality and productivity in professional environments.

Source: https://digitalgadgetsguide.com/feel-better-while-you-work-why-an-ergonomic-mouse-is-a-game-changer/

John Busa

Marguerita Cadampog

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Ellipses are important as it helps with efficient use of space & spectator convenience which allows for compact design where teo straights are connected by smooth curves—making optimal use of space.

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This Ellipse is typically used in American football. Its elliptic shape significantly affects its flight and bounce characteristics. It allows for more accurate and stable spiral pass due to the gyroscopic effect, and it causes unpredictable bounces on the ground.

Robb Banal, Chianti Prudenciado

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Earth’s elliptical orbit and its axial tilt are the reason for our stable climate and seasons. The tilt is the main reason we experience seasonal changes, however the elliptical shape adjusts the distance of Earth from the Sun during the year. These different distances cause changes in solar energy, which influences the temperature and season length in Earth. This balance keeps temperatures stable and moderate across the planet. As a result, Earth’s climate supports and sustains life.

Seno and Hinduja

Sources:

https://pressbooks.openeducationalberta.ca/planetearth/chapter/the-solar-system/

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The elliptical shape of the Roman Colosseum was deliberately chosen for its large seating capacity which is more than a circle with the same perimeter.

Its viewing angles are relatively equidistant to the center allowing maximum entertainment.

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/zma88

Yamato Ayabe

Elijah Tila

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Ellipses are crucial for satellite orbits because many satellites naturally follow an elliptical path due to Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. These elliptical orbits allow satellites to achieve specific altitude variations, enabling them to perform various tasks, such as communication, navigation, and Earth observation.

ORAT & LLABAN