SOFT TONES – BETWEEN THREE LANGUAGES NEW SPACE IS DISCOVERED

The everyday environment (outdoor and indoor) is exposed to noise from cars, factories, loudspeakers, and noise in restaurants, and reflections by walls and building facades.
The research question was how the viewpoints from architecture, acoustics, and art can be combined to find ways to add extra layers of quality to standard materials through smart geometric design and at the same time to improve the acoustic properties of the material. This paper presents results from an
interdisciplinary project which were exhibited at the Museum of Perception in Graz, Austria. The collection contains works by students and researchers of architecture and audio engineering. Selected designs demonstrate sophisticated patterns, acoustic efficiency and artistic creation as a link between architectural design, acoustic functionality, and applied art. This exhibition also shows the benefits of working in the interdisciplinary field between architecture, acoustics and art and raises awareness of our surroundings and the possibilities to shape
our daily environment. Resulting designs were characterised by acoustic properties leading to a multidimensional classification of the panels (geometric design, acoustic properties and art object) which can be used in different contexts and should provide ideas for future applications, such as absorbing facades, acoustic panels, noise barriers and serve as art objects at the same
time. An emphasis is put on how the research questions can be addressed in interdisciplinary lectures at universities and how students can benefit from different viewpoints and scientific approaches.