Architectural Exploration: Acoustics
The architectural topic I selected to learn a bit more about was acoustics: how sound interacts with a space. My first source from the bowls of my school's research center was a book titled Architectural Acoustics: Principles And Practice by William J. Cavanaugh & Joseph A. Wilkes. Published October 2, 1998. The book began by exploring many fundamental concepts relating to sound namely what sound is and how it works. The book went into very much depth regarding legal coding pertaining to sound, citing examples of commonly used construction and attenuation materials to control sound. Systems like ductwork, HVAC, floor systems, and dividing elements that can be problematic in containing sound if not properly installed or treated, along with remedies for such issues. Principles And Practice notably includes several architectural case studies and respective plans relating in some way to the presented concepts. This is the largest difference between the types of sources I selected, as this one contains a substantial amount of knowledge not present in other materials.
The magazine “Computer Music” included an article in their May 2024 edition titled The Ultimate Guide to Creative Reverb by Stuart Adams on the topic of creating a good digital audiomix, or having realistic audio with the addition of reverb. Reverb (as discussed by the previous source) is sound as it naturally bounces around an environment. Balancing reverb is the key to making any space sound natural. Too much reverb makes a space loud and echo, while too little makes the space sound dry. Unlike the other sources, the magazine article describes in depth the parts that cause the phenomena called reverb, and how changing the delay between these parts (initial sound, first reflection, last reflection) changes the feel or sound of a space.
The article makes sure to explain how to achieve these effects by altering the input waveform, or sounds, in place of not having a suitable physical space. This answers a question in the book, whether digital should replace physical acoustics? And the answer depends on the situation. Unless the venue physical or otherwise is unsuitable with poor acoustics stick with natural. This brings to mind a fascinating study currently in progress surrounding the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the fire that destroyed parts of the roof in April 2019. Teams of restorers and artisans are using the audio recordings of services and performances from previous years to aid in the reconstruction process to restore the acoustics of the sacred space. I highly recommend listening to the story from NPR, Here.
My final source is a magazine periodical “As We See It” published by Stereophile entitled Acoustics Writ Large by Jim Austin on February 1, 2023. By far this is the most simplistic source of the three with no complex concepts methods or terminology. Austin simply and briefly explores the ideas of placement in a performance space, and how an improperly lifted piano lid can and notisiably so influence the acoustics of the space. Placement and reverb go hand in hand to create a pleasing experience if both are done right, where everyone and everything can be heard when appropriate. If done poorly we get Harvard University’s Fogg Art Museum Lecture Hall (William & Cavanaugh, p.47-54).
Before this research project, I knew somewhat about sound technologies and had an elementary understanding of how sound interacts with materials and thought that was mostly it in some ways. Before I’ve been able to stand next to the audio engineers at my church and audibly recognize when something doesn’t sound right but not have a clue why that is. Now I have a slightly deeper understanding of how sound interacts not just with materials, but within and without different spaces. How spaces themselves, their elements, and orders can shape what we hear and how we hear it. After this research and some hands-on experience, I guess I can say I understand why sound and acoustics can be so complex and after talking with our professional engineer there's a lot more to learn. Regardless I still love it all.