INTRODUCTION:

The second project deals with the Architecture of Sound. This project will task students with the design of a performance space that must function in two modes: a closed performance space in the winter and an open performance space in the summer. Using acoustics as their primary driver of design students will consider geometry and material when designing these spaces. Geometry will be the primary focus early on as we will be using ray tracing to test various formal organizations. After this students will be asked to consider material’s role in the acoustics of an architectural space. Students will be expected to construct models and produce drawings, and renderings that demonstrate the relationship between the form and performance of their design. This project and all that follow are intended to be completed as a group consisting of two students.

ARCHITECTURE OF SOUND:

According to Anylaz Berisha, Architecture uses sound as a design tool, searching for the best solution using sound attributes. Good architecture depends on how good its soundscape is. How sound behaves dictates how inhabitants feel. The noise, the stress, the nervousness, the good sleep, the good music, the loudness, how loud we speak, how we hear the words in return. It all compasses into one simple attribute, the oldest and most primitive of all: the sound. Sound brings the best and the worst of the architecture. The spatial attributes of a space can be grabbed in one clap! Clap your hands and hear the sound traveling back and forth, spreading the waves all around you. Every sound reflection on the wall. The full echo of an archway. The depth, the length, the height, and the roundness. Everything you need to know, all there is, in one clap. Sound makes us listen. Listening makes us present. Present and alive. Future Architecture is built of senses. Future Architecture belongs to the Sound. 

SOUND TYPOLOGIES:

Sound can be categorized into a number of typologies which will help us as we design.

(Diffusion/Diffraction) (Reflection/Refraction) (Absorption) (Transmission) (Sound Waves/Sound Intensity) (Period) (Vibration) (Speed of Sound

/Velocity of Sound) (Frequency) (AmplitudE) (Pitch)

PROGRAM:

Project two tasks the students to design a performance space that will host speech and music-based events. Additionally, each design must be able to open to the exterior to provide additional seating in the summer months. Auxiliary spaces such as a lobby, equipment storage, and bathrooms will also need to be incorporated into the design and address acoustic issues. This performance space will provide natural daylight from above with the exception of the moment in which the space opens to the outside. Students should avoid direct southern light from entering the performance space. Each of these spaces requires varying qualities of sound.

Performance Space

Seating: 1000 Sqft (80 seats)

Stage: 400 Sqft

Support Spaces

Projection Room: 120 Sqft

Equipment Storage: 120 Sqft (Access to Stage)

Bathrooms: 200 Sqft

Auxiliary Spaces

Lobby: 700 Sqft (Includes Ticket Kiosk)

Vestibule to Performance Space: 50 Sqft 

Coat Check: 50 Sqft

Exterior

Additional Seating (200 Seats)