Wired for sound

Sight, smell, taste, touch and sound – we experience the world through five senses, and yet when it comes to designing the places where we live, often the focus is only on what we can see, and perhaps occasionally what we can touch.

But Brent Cross Town is different: it is the first major development in the UK to put music and sound at the heart of its design. Today, we are announcing a bespoke framework in collaboration with Dr Julia Jones, AKA Dr Rock, that will literally wire this new neighbourhood for sound. Jones says, “Sound is a vital sensory source. Its full potential is often overlooked… Brent Cross Town will ensure that sound and music, including the sound of silence, is embraced with consideration to enhance the lives and wellbeing of everyone.”

We all have experiences of unwanted sound: noise that has disrupted our sleep, distracted us from work or drowned out our experience of nature. And we also know the soaring feeling and mood-lift we get when we suddenly hear the sound of someone singing through a window, notice a chorus of birds or are immersed in the performance of a musician we love. In fact, it’s been proven that good sounds are good for our health. In November 2019, the World Health Organisation officially recognised the value of music to reduce stress, improve our mood, and to help the brain learn.

Our sound and music strategy goes beyond merely trying to eliminate the impact of ‘bad noise’ – masking the sound of road traffic, for example. This strategy takes things one step further, actively considering how sound and music can be used to enhance the way we work, the way we sleep, the way we socialise, how we engage with nature and the space around us, and how a community comes together.

Whether at work, rest, or play, sound is critical to our wellbeing and by making it a key consideration Brent Cross Town is raising the bar for urban design all over the country. 

Our strategy maps key locations for positive sound creation, such as a dedicated music venue or busking spots to bring the community together. Office buildings will use natural materials to reduce disruptive acoustics and their stairwells will be filled with enticing soundscapes that will make people want to use them. Homes will be designed with bedrooms that dampen sound to ensure quality sleep, and spaces that make music sound great.

In fact the whole area will become an aural network. Birdsong and the sounds of water will be amplified by the way areas are planted and landscaped, and wifi will be built into the infrastructure to make music sharing and broadcasting easier.

In short, music will live here. It’s a groundbreaking approach to wellness that will bring life to this new town.

Read the full press release here for more information.