Urban Contemplative Architecture Design through Light and Sound

Abstract

This study aims to formulate the design factors for contemplative architecture in an urban context. The ability of architecture to influence the atmosphere and the experience of its users is the basis of research. Theoretical analysis is used to find the connection between elements that can trigger subjective properties to form a contemplative space both direct or indirectly. The quality of secular sacredness that is often associated with contemplative experiences has been elaborated as well. Secular sacred that does not depend on religious connotation and divinity are used to focus the attention solely on architectural elements in shaping one's experience. The two main factors that shape architectural experience are light and sound. By exploring the characteristic and manipulation of light, sound and aural architecture, the feeling of sacredness can be created through spatial experience. By using the theory of contemplative space properties as the main theory, the theory of light and sound will work as supporting theory in formulating the design factors for contemplative architecture. The theory framework then is read on design project, to find how they work and what is missing. At the end, this study produces a prototype of contemplative architecture design for urban context through light and sound.