Introducing Environmental Noise Conversion as a Method to Analyse and Create Solutions to Enhance Site-Specific Soundscape Experiences

Gerlach, Nikolaj Sune Lund

4. Term

Sound and Music Computing

2025

2025-05-26

137

This thesis presents Environmental Noise Conversion (ENC) as a practical way to understand and improve environmental noise by combining three perspectives. The Engineering Approach measures and describes the physical properties of the acoustic environment. The Soundscape Approach considers context and listeners’ subjective experience, and follows the guidance of ISO 12913 (an international soundscape standard). The Artistic Approach identifies goals, strategies, and techniques for transforming the soundscape. The thesis proposes adjustments to ISO 12913 to make soundscape assessments more accessible and usable in practice. Subjective aspects are evaluated with the new HEARSEPTION model, which aims to offer a standardized, holistic assessment tool. ENC is applied to a noise problem in an exhibition, where three solutions are developed and evaluated using HEARSEPTION. The same data are also triangulated (cross-checked) with other models, illustrated by the Pleasantness/Eventfulness model, which rates how pleasant and how eventful a sound environment is. The results show that the solutions improved the soundscape so it better supports the exhibition’s narrative. Overall, ENC is presented as a contribution that can make soundscape assessment more accessible, especially as the HEARSEPTION model is further validated.

Denne afhandling præsenterer Environmental Noise Conversion (ENC) som en praktisk måde at forstå og forbedre miljøstøj på ved at kombinere tre perspektiver. Ingeniørtilgangen måler og beskriver de fysiske egenskaber ved lydmiljøet. Soundscape-tilgangen ser på kontekst og lytterens oplevelse og vurdering af lyden og følger retningslinjerne i ISO 12913 (en international soundscape-standard). Den kunstneriske tilgang identificerer mål, greb og teknikker til at omforme lydlandskabet. Afhandlingen foreslår justeringer af ISO 12913 for at gøre soundscape-vurderinger mere tilgængelige og anvendelige i praksis. De subjektive sider af lyde vurderes med den nye model HEARSEPTION, der sigter mod at blive et standardiseret og helhedsorienteret vurderingsværktøj. ENC afprøves på et konkret støjproblem i en udstilling, hvor tre løsninger udvikles og vurderes med HEARSEPTION. Det vises desuden, hvordan de samme data kan trianguleres (krydskontrolleres) med andre modeller, herunder Pleasantness/Eventfulness-modellen, som vurderer hvor behageligt og hvor begivenhedsrigt et lydmiljø er. Resultaterne viser, at løsningerne forbedrer lydlandskabet, så det bedre understøtter udstillingens fortælling. Samlet set præsenteres ENC som et supplement, der kan gøre soundscape-vurdering mere tilgængelig, især i takt med yderligere validering af HEARSEPTION-modellen.

[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]

soundscape ; lydlandskab ; museum ; design ; Soundscape ; Museum ; Design

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