Chapter

1
1

 Introduction

Statement of the

Problem

Framework of the Study

Goals and Objectives

Assumptions
Hypothesis

Scope of the Study

Significance of the
Study

Background of the Study

2

Introduction

The architectural movement in the 21st century integrates various technology

systems and innovations that would help sustain the built environment. New approaches

in the designs can improve various problems associated in buildings. These problems
can be social, cultural, and architectural. Thus it is said that the architectural movement

of the 21st century will improve traditional design solutions to these problems that will
further enhance the knowledge on architecture.

The rationale of this study is to merge two unique art forms Music and

Architecture to generate an approach that can create a new architectural perception in

building design that can develop the peoples strong interest in arts particularly in music
and architecture. Music and architecture are two distinct modes of art. However, these
art forms have a lot in common in terms of the principles and philosophies that made its
way up to this present period.

A concert hall is a place for symphonic music and music performances, and a

fundamental structure in expressing the art of music as well as architecture.

In a

society, a need of a concert hall is based on its culture in music, trends in architecture
and an increasing population. First the concert hall displays a strong interest and liking

for music of a society. Second, current innovations in architecture and construction will
determine its success and completion for this type of structure. Finally, the demand of a
concert hall in a city is based on its population. On the other hand, Davao City has made

all the requirements penchant for music, up to date national trends in architecture, and

more than one million in population. Therefore, a Davao City philharmonic concert hall is
proposed.

This study of the two modes of art, music and architecture, is equivalent to sound

and space which is an obvious quality of a concert hall. The study of the relationship
between sound and space is important based on a pragmatic level. This relationship
entails access not only to previous architectural explorations in the realm of sound, but

also explorations into space by sound makers sound artists and composers. Without

such access, the architectural explorations are likely to never move beyond a dilettantish
amateurism. Further, it will assemble a counterbalance on this unconscious tendency of
a persons living in culture that readily and pervasively privileges the eye over the ear.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Concert halls are built in a city as an indication of growth in the field of music and

arts and its population. This structure has two explicit characteristic - music and
architecture. Its musical characteristic relates to a place for symphonic music and other

music performances. Moreover, it is a place for patrons to appreciate the art of music.
The architectural characteristic relates to the structures form and function. The form is

supported through interior and exterior aesthetics. The function is improved through
proper space planning and acoustically designed spaces.

In the Philippines, the condition of concert halls is satisfactory in terms of tits

character on music and architecture. Some halls or theaters is acoustically excellent but

does not pay attention to its architectural character. Other halls or theaters have
adequate acoustics but it is not specifically for symphonic music and therefore it has
different acoustic specification.

The perception on the architectural character of a structure will have a tendency to

enhance only the visual perception and ignore the enhancement of the aural perception

of the users. Moreover, the musicians perception is most affected in a concert hall. This
study aims to discover a way to connect music and architecture to influence the form,

define the spaces, and improve the acoustics of the concert hall. So that it would
enhance the visual and aural perception of the users.

Specifically, the research attempts to answer the following questions:

What are the design requirements of a Philharmonic concert hall?

How can music and architecture be connected to influence the architecture of

the concert hall?

How can the design of the concert hall enhance the visual and aural

What is the musicians perception in concert halls with regard to cognitive

perception of the user through the synergy of music and architecture?

modeling?

1.3 Research Framework

Philharmonic Concert Hall

Independent variable:
Dependent variable:

To formulate a way to connect music and architecture

To enhance the visual and aural perception of the users musicians and listeners.
Intervening variable:

Fundamentals of music and architecture

The space requirements of a concert hall.

The architectural components of the interior and exterior form.

Acoustic design guidelines and materials.

Figure 1.1 Conceptual Framework of the Study

The proposed project is the philharmonic concert hall that houses symphonic music

and other music performances. The study focuses on formulating a way to connect

music and architecture to influence the architecture of the concert hall. This will be
supported by the fundamentals of music and architecture. This study will further
enhance the visual and aural perception of the users, musicians perception in particular.

The intervening variables are some factors that may affect the result of the study

which must be considered to attain the goals and objectives of this study. Figure 1.1
shows the diagram of different variables considered in this research. The different
variables are fundamentals of music and architecture, the architectural components of

interior and exterior form, the space requirements of a concert hall and acoustic design
guidelines and materials.

The second intervening variable is the architectural components of the interior and
5

exterior form of the concert hall. The architectural components may include doors,
railings, windows, columns, etc. that are found in a concert hall. By establishing a design

concept in relation to the principles and theory, a guiding principle can be derived that
emphasizes more on form.

The third intervening variable is the space requirements of a concert hall. The

spaces will be identified in order to achieve a proper layout of spaces according to their
function. The last intervening variable is the acoustic design guidelines and materials of

a concert hall. This type of structure has its definite specification. The acoustics will
affect the perception of musicians in concert halls.

1.4 Goals and Objectives

The goal of this study is to formulate a way to connect music and architecture that

will influence the overall architectural design of the concert hall. Moreover, the

translation will further determine the effects of visual and aural perception of the
musicians and listeners.

To evaluate the present status of concert venues in Davao City.

To determine the spaces of a philharmonic concert hall.

To identify the required specification of acoustics in a concert hall.

To formulate a concept on the synergy of music and architecture to influence the
form, define the space, and improve the acoustics of the concert hall.

To investigate the cognitive modeling of a musicians perception in concert halls.

1.5 Hypothesis
The philharmonic concert halls design will emphasize the art of music realized into

physical form as well as incorporating new trends and innovations in architecture.

Through the translation of music, the form of the concert hall will reflect the art of music.

Next, the layout of the spaces will be influenced and supported by the principles and

theory of music and architecture. Furthermore, the concert hall will be acoustically
designed specifically for symphonic music. The philharmonic concert hall, through the
6

synergy of music and architecture, will enhance the perception of users visually and
aurally.

1.6 Assumptions
The study assumes that there is an inclining interest in the field of music. Music

performers and music enthusiasts will grow in number in Davao City as interest in music
rise. The music performers will have different specialty in musical instruments like string,
wind, brass, and percussion family of instruments. Therefore, the study assumes that

the proposed Davao City philharmonic concert hall will house its own philharmonic
orchestra. Music enthusiasts will also create a community. It is also assumed that the
music community is fond of different music genre. This community will be the patrons of

the philharmonic concert hall. When this is established, the hall will also become a
tourist destination and an iconic building that symbolizes the synergy of two modes of
art.

The study assumes that the selected piece of land will be under minor commercial

zone.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of the study is focused only on the formulation of a method to connect

music and architecture. The connection includes different method of translation. These
methods can be generated by a source, preferential analysis of experts and subjective
analysis of the proponent.

The project is also limited in the art of music from the Western tradition, in particular

music in within the period of baroque, classical, and romantic era. Other musical
traditions - for instance, African or Asian, Folk or Pop can be discussed but not in
detail.

The psychological part of this study is about cognitive modeling of musicians

perception of the user which will also be considered by the proponent. Specifically, the

proponent will only consider the visual and aural perception of the user. This study will
only confirm the psychological effect on the user upon the architectural translation of

music. The psychological effect is not scientifically discussed. Moreover, there is no

7

scientific experiment of human psychological effect that will be conducted in this study.

The concert halls structural, electrical and mechanical aspect of this study will not

be designed in detail. The acoustics of the concert hall is designed according to

standard acoustic requirements of a concert hall. Moreover, there are no acoustic
consultant that would technically specify the acoustic design and materials for a concert
hall.

The study area, based on the goals and objectives of this study, is focused only on

Davao City concert venues and does not include other concert venues outside the city.

Other required data such as acoustics design standard and the space requirements of a
concert hall that are essential to the study can be gathered outside the study area.
1.7.1 Definition of Terms
1.7.1.1 Conceptual definition

Architecture is the art, science or profession of planning, designing and

constructing buildings in their totality taking into account their environment, in
accordance with the principles of utility, strength, and beauty.

Music is the art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to
produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.

Auditorium is the part of a theatre, or similar building, where the people who are
watching and listening sit.

Proscenium is the part of a stage in front of the curtain; the stage of an ancient
theater.

Visual relates to seeing or sight.

Aural relates to the ear or to the sense of hearing.

Perception is the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the
senses.

1.7.1.2 Operational definition

Synergy an interaction or cooperation of two or more substances or other agents

(e.g. modes of art) to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of
their separate effects.

Philharmonic concert hall a structure devoted to music where concerts are

8

performed.

Symphonic music is combining instrumental sounds that are composed of four

parts (instrument family).

1.8 Significance of the Study

This study will explore the art of music in parallel with architecture. The study is

significant because it will explore a new method of defining the aesthetics of the building

and improving user interaction through the architectural translation of music. This
method is based on the structures character and function. The character of the concert

hall is the trend in architecture, and the function of the concert hall is to provide a venue
for music expression.

The translation between music and architecture is not primarily a quantitative

translation but more of a qualitative translation in accordance on quantitative

parameters. Music becomes a design tool when designing an architectural space the
character of the concert hall. The natural qualities of music affect the quality of space.
Thus, the relationship of sound and space is defined.