Auralization of urban soundscaping designs using the Arup SoundLab

Abstract

Noise is unwanted sound (from an urban planning point of view). The standard practice to control noise, while valuable, is a negative process (i.e., reducing unwanted “noise”). In response, there is a drive by several authorities to take a more positive approach to improve and manage soundscapes in cities and civic spaces. Urban soundscape design consists of planning, shaping and managing the sound to fit each area of the masterplan in terms of civic, cultural, and social character. Arup uses its SoundLab, a 3D sound facility (ambisonic), to design and auralise (the sound equivalent to visualisation) soundscapes with planners, architects or artists and demonstrate to Local Planning Authorities or clients the results of the design. An example of urban soundscaping design is Dark Neville Street, Leeds for Leeds City Council where architectural, lighting design, acoustical soundscaping design were integrated together with an artistic sonic piece by Hans-Peter Kuhn which was auralised in the Arup SoundLab. An example of “indoor” sonic art and soundscape design installation is “Harmonic Bridge” by Bill Fontana and Arup Acoustics in the Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern (June-August 2006) where the sonic art piece was composed in the SoundLab.