Out of the Auditory: Aural Architecture Exhibition

Abstract

Research Background: Aural architecture has primarily been understood in terms of spatially-induced affective responses to sound. Out of the Auditory extends this concept to examine ways of understanding, analysing and representing the sound qualities within the architectural design process, as well as the integration of qualitative thinking about the sonic properties of materials and spaces into design thinking.

Research Contribution: Out of the Auditory is an exhibition of design work that forms part of a collaborative research project into the notion of aural architecture. The proposals exhibited and performed at Out of the Auditory seek to confront tensions between the temporal and intangible qualities of sound, and the visual precision required within architectural communication. Through engaging with sound and sonic properties within a conceptual design process, the aural architecture interventions lay bare the seemingly irreconcilable differences between architecture and sound, recasting them as opportunities for challenging the dominance of the visual in architectural design. This output is a culmination of a 6-part public lecture series to audiences of over 200 hundred as well as research-led teaching in architecture and music.

Research Significance: The project challenges conventional visually-focused architectural design processes through qualitative and creative thinking about sound and architecture. As an interdisciplinary research project (led by Jocelyn Wolfe, Alexandra Brown, Vanessa Tomlinson and Toby Gifford), the work informs both understanding of sound in the architectural design process (beyond the technical study of acoustics), and site-specific sound within musical composition and technology.