quiet space
soundwalks
"New insights into the way we hear, and strategies for appreciating the realm of sound."
Peter Savage (architectural photographer)
Through engaging hands-on learning and real-world examples, this day of activities explains some of the rudimentary concepts in soundscape and acoustics in uncomplicated language. From the way sound behaves in environments, to our hearing and perception of sound, this enjoyable and accessible workshop is aimed at those whose work intersects with sound issues or those working with sound who wish to deepen their understanding.
In this article, our Creative Director, Richard Bentley talks to Thomson Reuters about urban quiet and its affect on our health and wellbeing.
We know that environmental noise and the perceived quality of soundscapes has a huge impact on the perception of the environment and the health and wellbeing of inhabitants. Despite this knowledge, the impact of sound is typically an ancillary concern at best, or only flagged-up as an issue after building works have taken place. Whether working on policy, planning, design or the management of environments, this workshop will provide a practical grounding in issues of noise, quiet and human soundscape perception. The workshop would also interest artists, sound designers, recordists and film makers who wish to better understand the soundscape and embed this knowledge into their creative process.
Logging sound levels and perceptions of the soundscape on mobile HushCity app.
The day-long workshop can be tailored to the aspirations of the participants, but typically comprises:
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Interactive workshop exploring the impact of soundscape on economics, social and environmental health as well as personal wellbeing.
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A soundwalk attuning ourselves to the soundscape and identifying its key characteristics.
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Field recording workshop to better understand how people perceive sound, particularly appreciating deafness, autism and other forms of auraldiversity.
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Using app-based mapping software to log sound levels and perception of the environment while assessing their impact on inhabitants.
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Engaging workshop activities and real-world scenarios help us to recognise the key acoustic phenomena that impact our perception of the soundscape.
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Listening activities that help identify ways that acoustic designers can tackle noise issues and improve the soundscape of a space.