One way to improve sound performance in space is by using a variety of materials.
Here you see a church from the 1970s.
We have stone, brick, wood, gypsum board, and acoustical ceiling.
Each of these materials either reflects or absorbs sound in varying degrees.
Here is a link to a study on sound control:
https://digitaledition.wconline.com/march-2022/a-good-study/?oly_enc_id=6811D5575789H9Y