When I commenced this analysis I stated that I would use a hybrid methodology, and this has been the case. I started with a view that certain things should be explored, the obvious ones being the Composers and Architects themselves. This expanded into their techniques and how they used music and architecture for design influence, almost feeding off each other. I carried my research into music notation and how this had been used to create visual works of design, architecture and vice versa. There has been much written about these subjects so secondary research was sufficient. It became clear that to really understand the answers to questions posed I would need to better understand the technical aspects of sound engineering and the techniques used in building design to manage and/or control the physics of sound. The parameters for these being different for different music genres. My primary research addresses this need and also gave me an insight to the level of research needed to invest in sound design.

 

The questions I posed at the beginning of this analysis where:

 

“How and why, and vice versa, musicians have a relationship with architecture?”

 

The consolidated and completed analytical framework, below, provides the following response:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thus, the answer to these questions are:

 

“How and why, and vice versa, musicians have a relationship with architecture?”

 

My analysis shows that there is a clear relationship when one considers the impact of the acoustic properties the building has on the music being played. The musician needs the building to support and enhance the musical experience. Also clear is that the building has the potential to inspire musicians and that architects take a lot of inspirations from the visual properties of music.

 

“If the building has been inspired by music, is it also a musical building”

 

In some cases yes, but not necessarily. There are buildings inspired by music, and there are architects inspired by music. But it is clear that music can be used as an inspiration for all buildings and for other art forms in general.

 

“If it is not how have they used it as inspiration within the building’s design?”

 

It is absolutely clear that music has been an influence on architectural design, where wanted. In some cases directly, with notation or instrument shape being used in the design, in other cases the rhythm or harmonic series has been used to influence design. And without a doubt, the emotional aspects of music have been utilised as a tool by architects to help with their creative process.  Music seems to be a source of active inspiration. Although less so the reverse.

 

Whilst I have considered these questions, my organic approach has provided me with room to develop my questioning and led me to ask the primary question of “does Architecture influence music and vice versa.”

 

The detail of the question at hand became important too, forcing me to consider what I mean by “music”. I decided that I should be investigating the design process, so concluded that the key question is ”does music composition influence architecture and vice versa.” Rather than focusing on the music played by a musician, as the musician is simply the mouthpiece of the composer, the designer. In answering this question, it became very clear that;

 

Music has a significant impact on architecture, both in the design and in the influence on the architect.

Architecture has a limited impact on the composition. Rather, it has a significant influence on the end result played by the musician.