Sonic placemaking—facilitating listening behaviour through design

Abstract

In this article, we build on space and place theory to define sonic space and sonic place as fundamental concepts for designers who wish to incorporate audible elements into their work. Based on an interdisciplinary approach that brings together interaction design and sound studies, we propose a Sonic Placemaking Model to guide designers in exploring the sonic environment and address how design choices affect space and place. Based on the development of soundscape designs for three cultural history museums, we unfold the years-long design process and discuss how we applied methods from design and sound studies to understand users as listeners. Lastly, we present three areas of concern when designing for sonic placemaking: (1) going from sounds of objects to sounds of activities, (2) designing for informative and atmospheric experiences, and (3) facilitating spatial and temporal experiences.