Architexture
The Architexture project explores the links between spatial audio and architectural design. The name “Architexture'' plays into the artistic intent of creating a textural experience with sound and utilising a buildings architecture to achieve this.
The project began in 2012 with a choral composition specially commissioned for the Guildhall York Since then we have explored creative opportunities at the intersection of architecture, music and immersive and interactive technologies.
2022 - Architexture V
The Architexture V research project aims to make the interactive acoustics technology of Architexture IV available on mobile devices. Based on the original Architexture 1 composition, it also brings the back to its roots in the Guildhall, York.
Architexture V aims to apply our interactive acoustics technology to a live performance, which lets audience members “spatialise” their own concert, augmenting their listening experience for new exploration and innovation.
The research project allows us to investigate a number of different aspects, including:
How to make sure the real time transitions between different virtual acoustic spaces are smooth during a live performance?
How can virtual acoustic technology and musical performance open up the history, present and future of heritage spaces?
2020 - Architexture IV
The Architexture IV project took the work of Architexture III and attempted to make it more accessible to the public by hosting the technology on the web. A prototype app allowed the user to move up to four tracks of music? around their head to experience the music in a different way. It was also possible to place the listener and the recorded music in one of three different locations, or to hear it in a blend of the acoustic of these spaces.
architexture_short_v2.asf2018 - Architexture III
Architexture III investigated Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in live performance by providing a virtual acoustic environment in real-time for performers and audience alike. Architexture III explored whether spatial audio cues could be manipulated and blended (in real time) for both the performers and audience members. Several experimental workshops were conducted to assess the effects of the changing acoustic environment.
2015 - Architexture II
Architexture II in 2015 aimed to recreate the acoustics of the ruined St Mary's Abbey Museum Gardens, York . Using computer modelling and acoustic modelling software, the team of Steve Oxnard and Damian Murphy were able to recreate the sound/acoustic of the space. From this acoustic Ambrose Field composed a choral arrangement to take advantage of specific harmonic resonances in the modelled room. This culminated in a concert where the singers stood in the ruins of the Abbey, but projected the reconstructed acoustic at the audience.
2012 - Architexture I
In 2012 The Ebor Singers, directed by Paul Gameson, performed the first Achitexture choral composition, a piece written especially to fit the acoustics and space of the main hall of the York Guildhall The piece was composed using special techniques based on renaissance polyphony (the presence of multiple independent voices or musical lines). It also exploited the long reverberation of the York Guildhall and a powerful and evolving wall of sound was created.