Notes on “Brutalism in Sound: Concrete Paris and The Gathering Grounds”
- Sound energy splits into three upon striking a surface: reflected, absorbed, and transmitted.
- The surface’s material, shape, and composition determine the proportions of the split.
- Smooth concrete is an ideal reflector, with minimal absorption or transmission of sound energy.
- Concrete rooms exhibit high reverberation times due to minimal dissipation.
- Acoustic architecture adage: an open window is a perfect absorber for the listener.
- Each room has a unique acoustic fingerprint based on size, shape, and materials.
- Large, full, and hard rooms sound different from their counterparts.
- The experiential equivalence of absorption and transmission as non-reflective processes.
- In Brutalism, the architectural style embodies the contrast between reflection and non-reflection.
- Brutalist structures emphasize hulking, sweeping, and economical design, not expressly acoustic.
- Concrete, a dominant material in Brutalism, highlights the contrast between reflection (solid) and non-reflection (void).
- Mario Ciampi’s museum at 2626 Bancroft Way exemplifies Brutalist design without acoustic treatment.
- Concrete and glass surfaces remain bare, offering a scientific glimpse into the relationship between sound and form.
- The museum’s intrinsic sonic condition cultivated its reputation in the experimental music scene.
- Ciampi’s design rejects soft transitions and gradated materials, representing extremes of acoustic possibility.
- The venue’s closure in 2014 interrupted the permeation of its sonic consequences into architectural consciousness.
- “Acoustic Deconstruction of 2626 Bancroft Way” aimed to explore a potential acoustic future rather than document history.
- Published in 2016 as an insert for the vinyl LP “Acoustic Deconstruction,” featuring work by Ingrid Lee, Matt Ingalls, and Maggi Payne.
- LP resulted from a collaborative project by Jacqueline Kiyomi Gordon and Zackery Belanger to study and document the acoustics of 2626 Bancroft Way.
- Produced by Jacqueline Kiyomi Gordon for The Lab SF.
https://zbelanger.medium.com/brutalism-exposed-the-essence-of-acoustic-architecture-59d69541bfb5