Five Levels of Soundscape Design

Siebein (2010) identified 5 levels of architectural soundscapes: inspiration; planning; conceptual structure; tectonics; and detail. Case studies of the use of the levels are presented to illustrate how architects often use inspiration and planning metaphors to begin the design of a building. A conceptual structure is the underlying set of principles and ultimately geometries that form the basis for the intellectual and formal aspects of the project. Tectonics are the elements that form the architectural system that the soundscape occurs within. Details are the connections among the tectonic elements that support and express the inspiration and the conceptual structure of the project. The case studies illustrate how these levels define the places in the design process where soundscape theory can be effectively implemented to become an integrated part of the creation of architectural space. The case studies provide a working model for the creation of architectural spaces with designed soundscapes that occur as part of an integrated, participatory design process. These are parts of the process that are philosophical and abstract in nature where one seeks the poetic expression of the essence of the project prior to the beginning of traditional design.