The Soundscape Exchange

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Section title

THE SOUNDSCAPE EXCHANGE

SOUNDSCAPE INTERVENTIONS

BOGDANRaducu RADUCU BybyBogdan

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CSA Research Report

Project Details Project Lead:

Bogdan Gabriel Raducu

Design Participants:

Lucy Jones David Di Duca

Title:

The Soundscape Exchange

Type:

Public architectural installation

Location:

UCA Canterbury Campus

Project Dates:

1 August 2017 - 22 August 2017 On site construction - Model realisation 25th of August Installation open to public

Design Period:

June 2017 - August 2017

Budget:

ÂŁ600

Scale:

2.4m x 4.2m x 4m

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Research Agenda and Process Overview This research and design project intervenes in urban soundscapes in response to people’s constant need of experience and desire for something new. Having researched the different types of soundscape that are presented in different environments and researching people’s desires for “different”, I have identified the importance of natural environment.

The concept is about creating a live exchange of soundscape between two contrasting areas, one rural and one urban. The construction is made using oak wood for the main structure along with light colored wood for the frames. The soundscape exchange will be reaslised using speakers placed in MDF boxes covered with fabric material ( canvas ). The boxes will be placed on each side of the model for a surround effect.

Research Questions

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How can the soundscape environment be changed according to people’s needs and desires ?

2. What is the relationship between visual perception and soundscape ?

3. How can soundscape facilitate interaction ?

Research Statement

Significance and Contribution It is important to know how to create an acoustic environment and come up with methods that will manipulate sound in a manner that will be less stressful and why not, even enjoyable. The soundscape study represents a subject that refers to natural acoustics and natural sounds. It is about being surrounded by nature of all kind, even though we are talking about a crowded city. The sound of trees, wind, water, weather and even human activities like musical composition and instruments may lead to better acoustic environment and stress reduce.

The project demonstrates a way of using the technology in response to the modern architecture and environments these days. It is ment to create a contrast between the visual and sound perception.

Methodologies

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Prototype different visual + audio interventions in a soundscape.

2. To test prototypes in both urban and rural environments.

3. Observe and analyse every soundscape intervention in use.

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Design Proposal I proposed to design and build a wooden structure ment for parks in urban environments.

It’s purpose is to change the urban soundscape into a rural one using cell phones and bluetooth speakers. My first idea was to make a design that was inspired by the lines and curves of the mountains and after more research, my final design turned out to be completely different.

I have used the modern building as inspiration and I have designed a clean, wooden structure so it can be in contrast with the rural soundscape. As a rural environment, I have chosen a farm for the soundscape exchange.

Key technological outcomes of proposal 1.

Bringing the rural symbolism into an urban environment . The rural soundscape brought into the urban environment is ment to contrast the modern designed structure.

2. Cell phones and bluetooth or wireless speakers are essential for realising the soundscape exchange.

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Proposal & Context

Design Research Context Field of Work

Work by others

In Porto there were three were analyzed two urban areas including parks. They held interviews during the week but also in weekends. After the interviews they have noticed that sound perception is also influenced by age, sex and even martial status. The study confirmed that depending on the place, people’s age and their activities, the solutions have to be different and they have to adapt to the context and culture.

A small park between buildings in Midtown Manhattan (53rd St, and mentioned in the quote above), with a waterfall and a green wall. Green walls may reduce up to 40dB of outdoor noise and vibration. The soundscape of this busy area was replaced with the natural sound of a waterfall.

Photo: David Maddox (figure 1.)

Figure 1.

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Design Methodologies I have chosen wood for my design because it is a material that has been used for centuries and it’s still being used today in both rural and urban environments.

The wooden frames are ment to support the main structure for sustainability and also be a support for the MDF boxes and speakers.

Both the main wooden structure and the frames will allow the design to be part of a modern environment and in the same time a contrast for the new soundscape.

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Prototyping and testing 1. Designing a structure to be part of an urban environment and contrast the rural ( farm ) soundscape.

2. Support system for the speakers so they can be hidden, protected and placed on each side of the model designed.

The system was realised using MDF boxes with different depth covered with canvas material.

3. Realising a live soundscape exchange is possible using cell phones that are connected to bluetooth or wireless speakers.

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Fabrication Techniques 1. Structure making

3. MDF boxes and fabric material

The structure is made by using 8x8cm section oak wood. I have designed it by making certain joins ( fig 1. ) so it can be easy to assamble anytime, anywhere, just like a puzzle.

The boxes, placed on the wooden frame, are made out of MDF and they are ment to hold the speakers. On the inside of the box I have used canvas material to create an opening for the speaker. The fabric material is first fixed on a thin wooden frame and then placed on the box.

2. Frame making I have made the frame using 3x3cm section light coloured wood to visually contrast the oak.

The joins are made by cutting 1.5cm on each of them ( fig. 2 ) so they can be properly alligned.

They also serve as support for the structure and the MDF boxes.

Fig. 1

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Review of Outcomes

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Materials and Suppliers List

Oak wood - from B & Q, Canterbury , 2400x80x80mm - 12 1000x80x80mm - 4

Canvas fabric material - from Simon, UCA , 15 panels of 500x500mm

Wood ( for the frame ) - from Simon, UCA, Canterbury

Bluetooth speaker - from ASDA, Canterbury

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Bibliography

Coensel, A. Bockstael , L. Dekoninck, D. Botteldooren, J. Kang, & Nilsson M. E. (2010). “The Soundscape Approach for Early Stage Urban Planning” Kang J. (2007). “Urban Sound Environment. Abingdon: Taylor and Francis” Yang, W., & Kang, J. (2005). “Soundscape and Sound Preferences in Urban Squares” Thomas Elmqvist, (2013). “Designing the Urban Soundscape” : https://www. thenatureofcities.com/

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Credits MA Architecture Course Leader: Lucy Jones MA Architecture Design Tutor: David Di Duca

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