The soundwalking can be a great practice to discover, often overlooked and surprising auditory side of a place. The soundscapes including both human-made and natural sounds tell us a lot about the local culture therefore it’s worth incorporating such locations into your travel schedule. What if you combine the visual exploration with capturing the sonic memories? By recording the sounds and taking notes of the local music you will create an unforgettable experiences.
There are different types of auditory environments you can encounter while travelling or simply exploring your surroundings:
- Natural sounds are integrating natural elements in areas such as parks, small urban gardens to introduce rustling leaves, flowing water.
- Urban soundscapes such as traffic, pedestrians or public transport can obviously provide you with different sensations in India compared to European cities
- Sound Art & Installations are commonly strategically installed to give more interactive and creative perspective to the sound scape. The constructions are made of natural materials which is not only beneficial for the acoustics but also for aesthetics. The creators of sound experiences often challenge the way we perceive and interact with sound. Their works may serve as an extension of the nature, to complement or completely transform the character of a space, creating a unique ambiance.
- Music & Performance Venues, if well placed and designed, can create much more vibrant scape.
- Cultural soundscapes feature local events with music played during festivals or street performances
- Markets in French cities will be much more noisy and dynamic that in the Germany
- Soundwalks in metro staircases or corridors often with cultural or historical context.
- Water features incorporated in form of ponds, small streams or fountains can bring a soothing effect and mask the urban noise.
Below you will find a series of nature-blended architecture projects created by artists intrigued by sound environments, whose designs are beautifully integrated with nature and emphasize the sounds of nature. It is surely the futuristic concept of architecture, to be more sustainable, focused on biomorphic and ecological design.
Teatro di Andromeda – An open-air theater in the heart of colourful Sicani mountains.
This masterpiece was almost entirely handmade by the visionary sculptor Lorenzo Reina in the 70’s as a tribute to Andromeda constellation. The closest parking spot is located few minutes walking distance from Reina’s farm in Santo Stefano di Quisquina where he lives, grows grapevines and takes care of donkeys and sheep
It shows how art, culture and nature can coexist in harmony. The theatre has a cavea with 108 stone seats overlooking the horizon and representing the 108 stars of the Andromeda galaxy. The whole scene has an elliptical shape and includes 365 blocks. This work is a great example of the living work that serves as a venue for various activities, cultural or solar events and exhibitions.
What visitors said about this place: It’s recommended to visit this place during the summer solstice. Absolutely astonishing place filled in with spiritual power and amazing art all around. Visit in the afternoon just before sunset to enjoy the phenomenal sundown. The changing colours and the view from the theatre is stunning on a clear day. The entrance fee is 10 euro bookable through the FB page.
Sound Architecture 5 – Bicycle bells installation
Imagine you rest upon a tree in an oak forest and you hear a gentle sound of bicycle bells. The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden is home to a magnificent installation composed of 5000 bicycle bells on moss. Amsterdam-based sculptor Ronald van der Meijs put them together in a form of a light ocean wave. It reminds a bit of a garden of silver mushrooms growing around the trees. He is known for his sound installations that incorporate natural elements and sound producing mechanism. The higher bells will sound by a stronger wind or by the falling acorns of a nearby tree which is hanging high above.
What visitors say: This hidden gem is my favourite place to visit in Surrey, beautifully surreal and tranquil. . There are truly no words to prepare you for such an unique enchanting experience.
Art Pavilion M. – The floating museum
Studio Ossidiana combined three rings and let them float on the waters of Weerwater in Almere to create an exhibition space for an immersive art. The three circles are designed for different purposes.
The ring-shaped promenade called the Port allows for outdoor display. It surrounds a water space, which beautifully interacts with music played during the shows. It is also a perfect spot to observe animals from that area. When designing the space the architects imagined visitors would arrive there by boat.
The Stage looks like an isle with a drifting museum’s terrace. It can become a stage on water, a scene for performances, outdoor exhibitions and concerts.
The main circle, the Observatory includes two exhibition rooms with beautiful views. It is fully covered by a curtain offering a lovely show of light and shade.
Yoga Pavilion – the most beautiful Yoga studio
I could imagine practicing yoga or meditation in such a peaceful place. The Yoga Pavillon is located on a cliff in the secluded area of the Stockholm’s Vasa Park surrounded by the greenery. The construction was made of Swedish pine. The soft and cozy lightening in the evening, natural materials and simplicity inspires to calm down and immerse in the nature. Many visitors consider this place perfect for meeting to dance during the summer. On an early evening walk, there are many families sitting with a picnic supper on the rolling green hills here. They also recommend to go there while visiting the lovely closeby Vasastaden neighbourhood.
Tåkern Visitor Centre – a heaven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts
I feel the Scandinavian landscape is just perfect to experiment with organic architecture. This particular Visitor Center is based in Tåkern Nature Reserve in Sweden it serves as a gateway to a unique and ecologically significant area, while also playing a significant role in research, education and preserve efforts related to this Nature Reserve. It offers a serene and picturesque surroundings tucked away in the middle of farmland, near the Lake Tåkern Bird Sanctuary with an incredible number and diversity of birds. The buildings roofs are made of thatched straw and connected to the bird watching tower. The whole wooden construction seems to be fully integrated in the surrounding pathways and match with the natural area.
According to the visitors the indoor area offers educative exhibitions about the birdwatching, a lot of installations for children. Outside there are several places for grilling, paths located in reed corridors. Stay there a bit longer to have a chance to capture the magic of the sunset at the lake.
Cylindre Sonore – Space & Sound
Alexandre Chemetoff is renowned urban designer famous for turning public spaces into more attractive, eco-friendly, and sustainable. He cares a lot about the presence of local flora and fauna within the city areas. One of his most famous projects is Parc de la Villette in Paris featuring themed gardens, plazas, and cultural facilities, perfectly blending art and landscape. Inside the parc, in Jardin des Bambous (Bamboo Garden), there is an amazing art installation, Le Cylindre Sonore, a cylindrical sound pavillion invented by Bernard Leitner, fascinated by the connection of sound and space. People visiting the Cylindre will hear the resonating sound of the water flowing underground and the sound from the speakers embedded on the cylinders.
Tvísöngur sound sculpture in Icelandic Seyðisfjörður
Tvísöngur is an example of incredible creativity of the sound sculptor, Lukas Kuhne. It consists of five interconnected domes of different sizes located in a quiet area with a view of the fjord. Each dome represents five tones in Icelandic musical tradition of pentatonic scale. The domes act as natural amplifier of those tones. Many visitors are inspired by the beauty of this place to interact with the domes by singing or playing musical instruments. The ascent to get there is beautiful on a sunny morning, with the fjord in the background, and the rivers and waterfalls around.
House Of Music and its biophilic design
I would definitely rank it among Budapest’s top must-visit spots as the architecture of the building is truly a masterpiece, and the atmosphere inside is simply delightful. Sou Fujimoto’s designs challenge traditional conventions in architecture, emphasizing a strong symbiosis between the buildings and nature. His works are deeply inspired by nature and often look like organic structures which are part of the natural environment. The building fits perfectly in its surroundings despite its edgy design. It’s a great addition to the city park. Besides it’s a brilliant museum of music. They are 2 cafes inside, one with a view to enjoy the compelling design. This is the coolest place for anyone even slightly interested in music. The interactive sound exhibition is just so amazing that you completely forget about time.
Fertőrákos Cave Theatre, Hungary
The Cave (Fertőrákosi Kőfejtő és Barlangszínház) is located near the small town of Sopron close to the Austrian border and takes part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fertö-Lake Neusiedl where Keith’s limestone was queried. It was fully renovated in 2011 to form an exhibition space and theatre scene. Also the lighting and sound equipment was upgraded. From the outside it looks like a small construction but the inside cave system is surprisingly impressive. The roofs on the construction have been planted with rare greenery to integrate more into the natural surroundings. The acoustics of the theatre in rock formation are truly unique and seeing a concert or theatre performance must be an experience.
Benefits of biophilic design in urban spaces
It’s clear that introducing natural elements in the urban areas can be beneficial not only from aesthetic but also emotional and health perspective. Both can contribute in shaping more healthy environment which ultimately is the goal of the smart cities designers. With more population coming to the cities, planners and architects will have to become more sustainable goals. The integration of multisensory and biophilic design can surely be an answer to those needs.
