Effects of reverberation time and sound source composition on sense of place constructs

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of reverberation time and sound source composition on the sense of place. The experiments were conducted in the private lecturer offices located in the Faculty of Architecture, Çankaya University. The sense of place of 15 participants was tested in the original offices of each participant and eight additional acoustic auralisations, in which reverberation times and sound source compositions were modified. The analysis of the results revealed that there is a direct influence of reverberation time and sound source composition on the sense of place. It was observed that longer reverberation times partially enhanced the sense of place. Additionally, the sound source composition influenced the relation towards the place, and certain sound signals diminished the sense of place in the private offices. Furthermore, this study used a psychophysical scaling method (Absolute Magnitude Estimation scale [AME]) which indicated its validity and importance in investigating the effect of physical stimuli on the sense of place. The AME revealed the sense of place by directing the influence towards the place construct indicators rather than investigating the general relation towards the place. It was concluded that reverberation time and sound source compositions could enhance and/or diminish sense of place; hence, RT and sound source compositions can affect interpretation of and behavior towards a given place.