Crescendo

Tasked with repurposing Fontaine Saint-Sulpice in Paris, France, Crescendo examines sound and site activity to develop a space tailored to play with your senses. During a series of site visits similar to those conducted by Georges Perec, I observed peoples’ use of the plaza space surrounding the fountain and measured the duration of their activities and sources of sound. Crescendo features a similar double-helix staircase as in Chateau Chambord--revealing nooks within the walls of the top floor and on the exterior ground floor of the 65-foot fountain. This intervention incentivizes visitors to interact with the fountain for longer periods of time.

SAMIRA UMPIERRE

The Shape of Two Cities: New York/Paris Studio

Columbia GSAPP

Thomas Demonchaux

Spring 2023

The third level brings you to the very top of the fountain. It exposes one to the heightened sounds of the waterfall and provides a top to bottom view of the fountain as well as a horizon of the site’s tallest buildings.

Crescendo utilizes three varying wall thicknesses to insulate sound. As you ascend the fountain, noise pollution from the waterfall and around the plaza are reduced to provide a space of refuge for visitors.