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.

Keywords:

• Space
• place
• soundscape design
• listening
• sound
• design process
• sonic space
• sonic place

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our museum partners: Struer Museum, Museum Skanderborg, and Open-air Museum Herning. Moreover, we would like to acknowledge our CAVI staff for taking part in the design and implementation of the three soundscapes, Jonas Oxenbøll Petersen: 3D sound design; Asger Bruun Hansen: Sound production; Peter Friis: Engineering; Morten Lervig: Project management.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research has been supported by the Velux Foundation, grant 34238.

Notes on contributors

Anne-Sofie Udsen

Anne-Sofie Udsen PhD Fellow at Aarhus University working with sound and listening as material entanglements of body, environment, design and culture. She has been part of creating several sound installations, notably ‘Shitstorm no. 1’, as part of exhibition STILL(for)PEACE at Viborg Kunsthal

Kim Halskov

Kim Halskov is professor in interaction design at Aarhus University where he in addition to being director of CAVI, see CAVI.au.dk, also is co-director of Centre for Digital Creativity. His research areas include innovation processes, design processes, media architecture, and experience design.