Architecture Aspiring Towards Music © 1998
by Sabrina Phillips, AIA

ABSTRACT
Architects since the beginning of western history have drawn parallels between music and architecture. However, the concept of architecture as "frozen music" has received little attention in today's society. Furthermore, the research that has been conducted has failed to address the important perceptual issues concerning the spatial environment. Although designers have successfully transposed music into architecture through both scientific and aesthetic means, little has been accomplished to make more abstract expressive correlations between the two arts. After completing a thorough analysis of each method of transposition (scientific, aesthetic, and abstract), determinations were made as to their value in producing quality archiecture. Since both scientific and aesthetic trends are specific to a certain time and place, it is necessary to move beyond these values, and look towards understanding and developing more meaningful relationships between the arts. This can be achieved through letting go of the rational thought processes of our daily lives and focusing more on our intuitive subconscious feelings. Listening to music can help with this process because music is an abstract art and no preconceived notions concerning its form exist.

Therefore, music can serve as a model for the other arts; and designers can utilize it as a learning tool for creating more evocative and expressive architecrural experiences that optimally will transcend time and place

Order book via e-mail request