In France and across Europe, public venues like concert halls have remained closed for months amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Dassault Systèmes, a leader in 3D design and simulation technology, is leveraging advanced modeling to enable a safe return for audiences and performers—prioritizing health safety while preserving cultural life.
A recent pilot in Spain offers hope: In December 2020, Barcelona's Apolo venue hosted 463 concertgoers with strict hygiene protocols and contact tracing, resulting in zero infections that evening.
Inspired by this, France's Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot has engaged entertainment professionals. Venue operators nationwide have long advocated that targeted risk mitigation is feasible.
Partnering with the Philharmonie de Paris, Dassault Systèmes created simulations for the Grande Salle Pierre Boulez at full capacity to model infection risks. (See visualization below.)
“We developed a digital twin of the Grande Salle Pierre Boulez, including its under-seat ventilation system that circulates air behind spectators and musicians. Our health experts simulated airflow with viral particles from virtual coughing attendees to assess transmission risks among audiences and performers,” explains Jacques Beltran, Dassault Systèmes Vice President for the public sector.
One insight: Modeling a trumpeter's breath showed that halving ventilation rates significantly cuts spectator-to-spectator contamination. Essential measures include masks and social distancing at entry; indoors, masks are critical even if distancing is challenging.
Dassault Systèmes notes these simulations apply to any public venue, pinpointing ventilation's role in curbing spread. Combined with Barcelona's success, this could persuade authorities to reopen safely.
