Despite the sophisticated process through which we localize sounds, I am wondering if there is a way to “trick” someone into perceiving a source apart from its original location. Obviously there are some difficulties in achieving this kind of effect, namely as a sound travels from its source, its power diminishes by the square of the distance traveled. Also, as it encounters successive surfaces, every reflection “colors” sound and effectively alters it. Additionally, high frequencies are more quickly damped by air than low frequencies, thereby filtering them out and leaving the more muffled low frequencies to travel the farthest distances.
Regardless, there are still ways to "transport" sound across relatively large distances by architectural means. Whispering galleries are one example of this phenomenon. In St. Paul's Cathedral dome in London, or at the Echo Wall at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing (among others) two people can stand hundreds of feet apart (at opposite sides of the curve) and carry out a conversation in a normal speaking voice.
Alternatively, parabolic mirrors are able to focus, but also reflect sound in such a way that it can be received and focused by another parabolic dish located a distance way. I have done a little experiment below in Falstad Ripple that shows one way to employ partial ellipses and/or parabolic reflectors. Let us say that the source is located within the elliptical section that is furthest to the left. The receiver/listener is located in the middle elliptical section with its back to the source. In this way the listener cannot see the source. Through the positioning of another elliptical section that collects and then reflects the original signal, the listener will perceive the source, however, understander the source as being the right most elliptical section. This example is one way that nested volumes might be able to displace sound, thereby affecting the perception of our sonic surroundings.
Regardless, there are still ways to "transport" sound across relatively large distances by architectural means. Whispering galleries are one example of this phenomenon. In St. Paul's Cathedral dome in London, or at the Echo Wall at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing (among others) two people can stand hundreds of feet apart (at opposite sides of the curve) and carry out a conversation in a normal speaking voice.
Alternatively, parabolic mirrors are able to focus, but also reflect sound in such a way that it can be received and focused by another parabolic dish located a distance way. I have done a little experiment below in Falstad Ripple that shows one way to employ partial ellipses and/or parabolic reflectors. Let us say that the source is located within the elliptical section that is furthest to the left. The receiver/listener is located in the middle elliptical section with its back to the source. In this way the listener cannot see the source. Through the positioning of another elliptical section that collects and then reflects the original signal, the listener will perceive the source, however, understander the source as being the right most elliptical section. This example is one way that nested volumes might be able to displace sound, thereby affecting the perception of our sonic surroundings.
I think it is also important to think about sound transmission between adjacent sound environments and the possibility of acoustically linking spaces that perhaps are physically separate. In addition to structure-borne sounds (vibrations that travel through solid building elements such as columns, beams and floors slabs) which may subsequently be radiated as airborne sound great distances away from the source, I am interested in intentionally using methods to create a network of sound spaces that exists in direct relation to the environment one is occupying.
In this discussion I am interested less in the actual qualities of each space and more in the relationships between spaces. The diagrams below start to illustrate possible connections between vertical spaces. Can the sound of one floor be acoustically joined with another while bypassing others? Is this done by physically piercing through one floor to get to the other?
In this discussion I am interested less in the actual qualities of each space and more in the relationships between spaces. The diagrams below start to illustrate possible connections between vertical spaces. Can the sound of one floor be acoustically joined with another while bypassing others? Is this done by physically piercing through one floor to get to the other?
Whether we are aware of it or not, we are constantly processing numerous layers of aural information as we move through spaces over time. The sounds of the outdoor environment may be significantly lessened when we occupy interior spaces, but they are by no means completely shut out. I propose that we begin to consciously engage and manipulate these layers of aural information through architectural constructs and interventions as a way to shape experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment