Image: seier+seier | Flickr

When taking a closer look at the relationship between music and the theater in which it is played, the composer becomes a pivotal link between the two that provides some intriguing insight into ways that architecture shapes its occupants.

As architects, we like to think that we shape architecture — but as most of us know it also shapes us. The relationship between adaptation and environment often works both ways, and for this reason, I encourage you to watch the following video where David Byrne will take you through the evolution of music, and the strong role theaters and other “venues” play, as the space “surrounding” a performance actually becomes its extension.

In particular, look for his juxtaposition between the way music has developed to fit particular venues of its time, and how birds from different regions and geographic environments actually evolve to develop different bird calls. As you will soon learn by watching the video below, David Byrne paints a picture of not only why architecture is significant in uplifting the lives of its occupants through sound, but also will get you thinking about ways you can enhance your architecture by knowing full well that you are creating a context that your occupants will need to inadvertently fit into, as much as it will need to fit them.

Here is the video entitled How Architecture Helped Music Evolve:

What Does This Mean for Your Designs?

After watching the above video, you are probably left with a better understanding as to why the design of architecture is so critical to not only help people be more functional, but to also help entire cultures to evolve. It is as if architecture is both a thumbprint of a person or a culture, while also serving as a vessel within which a person or a culture can develop and thrive. And a key component that makes all of this happen are the senses with sensorial stimuli, like sound through music.

Thus, by understanding more about sensory design, your architecture will stand a better chance of growing, learning and evolving with its occupants, by not only fitting them now, but also helping them to realize their future through context. As your occupants use your building either for an hour, for decades or over many generations, it must meet their needs on many levels — intellectually, emotionally, physiologically, behaviorally and spiritually. And still, the senses play a large role on all of these.

In order to do all of this well as an architect, it will often help to delve into how the human senses absorb, process and actuate stimuli. By getting a richer understanding of this, you will equip yourself to create designs that grow and evolve — to actually become an extended “instrument” with which not only musicians and composers create and perform music, but also with which occupants can realize a better extension of themselves as they experience each moment of every day.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter followers by “tweeting” it using the re-tweet button on this page.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Can Music Increase Your Potential?

What role does music play in your work as an architect? Do you listen to it while you design? Or do you incorporate it into your architectural designs, for your occupants?

In an article recently published by The Boston Globe, Carolyn Y. Johnson writes about a surgeon who listens to music while he operates. Also, he is conducting various studies to really understand what effect music has on both doctors and patients. In addition to improving the results of surgery, he thinks music might also be used for other types of medical treatments. (1)

For example, while listening to Mozart, patients needed less sedation, had “reduced stress hormone levels and had lower blood pressure(s) and heart rate(s)” than those that heard nothing. Similarly, Mozart proved to be quite a success when measuring the performance of surgeons. Their accuracy was notably improved. (1)

Architects Take “Note”

This type of research will provide great information for architects to utilize for their work. Both in architectural offices and within architectural schools, you will most likely find music playing — if not aloud then through headphones. During some creative challenges, music might actually help you (plus, different genres can provide you with different results).

If music plays a part in your design process already, well then, you’ve found something that is now being proven to work. And if music works for you — just imagine how it might work for the occupants in your building. There are all kinds of innovative ways in which to incorporate music into your design. It can impact experiences, functions and aesthetics on so many levels.

Please Tell Me What You Think

I would really like to get your opinion on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter followers by “tweeting” it using the re-tweet button on this page.

(1) Johnson, Carolyn Y., Musical Surgeon Examines the O.R. Soundtrack

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman

Strategically placed hydraulophones are one way to get your occupants interacting with your design — and with each other.

Often, architecture can resemble a musical instrument. When designed well, both are beautiful, fun to experience and a treat for the senses. The following is an example that shows how a natural element, like water, can be used to change the behavior of people passing by.

Located in parks and some urban settings this hydraulophone gets visitors to interact in some new and refreshing ways. Take a peak at how it works and then think of ways you can get occupants to interact within your design by awakening their senses.

© 2008-2011 Sensing Architecture by Maria Lorena Lehman