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Drawing by Azul Klix and Guillermo Hevia

Noise Strata

We propose two simultaneously related architectural devices for very different scales. The first relates to the individual at the scale of the human body—a personal device. The second relates to the urban scale—a building, tower, or antenna—that acts as a performative device, a “sound lab.” The tower is organized through a series of layered spheres that render visible the proposed taxonomy of sounds. These bubbles are inflated and deflated in relationship to the sound levels of the city. Their transformation is carried out through a converter system in which a specific volume of air is associated with a sound source. Each sound is also identified by a different color according to the taxonomy, which creates both a visual and aural experience. This chameleon-style building constantly transforms and adapts, producing a collective awareness of sound rather than an individual experience, and reinforcing the constantly changing nature of sound. These two architectural devices reflect on the notion of sounds in the city to generate new discussions among society members. At the same time, it allows one to think about potential ways of shaping cities in relation to the soundscape.