ARC 593/ARC 404– Aural Architecture

Course No.: 24116
Department: Architecture
Semester: 2018 Spring
Location: Hayes Hall – 217
Meeting Day(s): Friday
Meeting Time: 8:10AM - 10:50AM
Faculty: Battaglia
Faculty: Battaglia
Aural Architecture refers to the properties of a space that can be experienced by listening. An aural architect is someone who selects specific aural attributes of a space based on what is desirable. The way spaces sound can induce such feelings as contemplative tranquility or severe distraction, heightened sensitivity or confusion, a harmonious and mystical connection to the cosmos or dissociation, exhilaration or gloominess. Acoustical conditions that support social activity and comfort can be created if one has an understanding of the psychological effects of scale and dimension, geometry, material characteristics, and the continuity of spatial enclosure that create acoustical conditions.
We will focus on pursuing a study of resonances, timbre, and other conditions of spaces based on readings in Music and Perceptual Psychology. We will structure a series of studies regarding room conditions that create identifiable emotional reactions and relate what we learn to dimensions, geometry and materials.