Design tool
Direct the city orchestra
City planning provides multiple opportunities to affect the sonic environment, not only in terms of noise but also by considering sound as a quality. The "city orchestra" can be directed through planning and design decisions; sound can be limited, stimulated or added. The design tool illustrates how.
To the design toolReference sounds
Japanese gardens
In a study from 2018, more than 80 Japanese gardens were visited with the purpose to increase the understanding of how to create tranquil soundscapes. Listen to masking water sounds, nightingale floors, suikinkutsu and many other effects.
Listen to Japanese gardensSound art
What is the sound of the Eiffel Tower?
The special, almost singing sound arises when the huge metal structure moves in the wind or is influenced by the visiting people so that resonance tones are stimulated. Listen to the sound art by China Blue.
Go to sound art sectionReference Sounds
Absorption
Under the section entitled "Reference sound", a number of recordings have been collected to illustrate the relationship between sound, planning and design. The clips include examples of masking and the effect of absorption.
Go to the reference sounds sectionWater features
The Tuning of Water
Fountains can be used for their soothing sounds and can also have an effect to mask out traffic noise. The character and level of the sound is controlled by the design. Here you can listen to some common fountain types and water features.
Listen to water soundsMore...
Read more about Sound Planning
Sound is an asset in planning and design. Soundscape design can be used to deepen the overall experience, stimulate curiosity and help to provide site-specific character and atmosphere in the city. How a place sounds affects how we see and experience it. Read about soundscape design and landscape architecture in Movium's "Direct the city orchestra".
Read moreThesis on the experience of water sounds
Thesis dealing with the experience of water sounds and masking: Rådsten-Ekman Maria. 2015 at the psychological department, Stockholm University. Unwanted wanted sounds: Perception of sounds from water structures in urban soundscapes.
Read moreNovel solutions for a greener and quieter city
An illustrated report from the research project "Hosanna" exploring "novel solutions for a greener and quieter city". The document contains conceptual ideas for dealing with noise through a merger of acoustics and landscape design.
Read moreThesis on sound and noise management in landscape architecture
Thesis on sound management in landscape architecture: Cerwén 2017, Sound in Landscape Architecture: A Soundscape Approach to Noise. Department of Landscape Crime, Planning and Management, Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, SLU Alnarp.
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