Soundscape as a design strategy for landscape architectural praxis

In this paper I introduce the notion of soundscape and the terminology used by the interdisciplinary field of soundscape studies, founded by composer and activist R. Murray Schafer in the late 1960s. Using the example of 3 recent landscape architecture design studios taught at RMIT University, Melbourne Australia, I examine important theoretical concepts of soundscape studies and how these concepts were used to guide a number of design exercises and design projects of the studios. I also further reflect on the pedagogical aspects of teaching soundscape to design students and the larger implications of such methodologies for the field of design in the built environment.

► The acoustic theories of Schafer (1977) and Truax (2001) are introduced.
► Pedagogical techniques for developing critical listening are discussed.
► Examples of student work using soundscape concepts is presented.
► Limitations of soundscape studies as a design brief is explored.