Sound, Awareness and Place: Architecture from an Aural Perspective

Abstract

The human experience of sound is an essential element to our understanding of the built environment. However, sound has played a minimal aspect in the construction of meaning in contemporary architecture, and is given little attention in architectural education as a source for design inspiration. This thesis investigates sound as an architectural, cultural and environmental phenomenon through the design of a small listening pavilion.

This thesis has two goals: 1) To provide an exploration into the potentials of sound as a source for design inspiration and architectural meaning. 2) To provide a space that heightens one's awareness of sound, both in the environment, and within the space itself.