Abstract
My thesis proposes a sequence of spaces for tranquil experiences in high-density cities. There is a need for such restorative spaces because city dwellers have been found to have a greater likelihood of developing mood and anxiety disorders. With cities projected to grow and become even denser, this issue is paramount to address. While there are many architectural examples that provide calm spaces, they often do not address the noise pollution of the modern city. In modern urban living, where different types of sounds are layered and happening simultaneously, sounds of the city often overstimulate our senses and are perceived as noise. To enable mindfulness amid noise pollution, my thesis proposes a building that provides an experiential journey, offering a choreographed transition from spectrum of city sounds, one sound source at a time. My design is based on acoustic studies that determined the spaces’ sound-capturing capabilities. My thesis is meant as a prototype that can be scaled and applied to other sites as well. The selected site is a neighbourhood in Singapore that I found to be in need of restorative spaces.