The Sound of Buildings
The Victorian Government, through Major Projects Victoria, is a proud major sponsor of The Sound of Buildings architecture walking tour app for iPhone and iPad.
The Sound of Buildings takes in ten of Melbourne’s most architecturally significant buildings. The story behind each of these buildings is told through the voices of designers, builders, users and children.
Launched as part of this year’s State of Design Festival, the tour takes in the best of Melbourne’s old and new buildings using audio clippings, stunning imagery and a GPS mapping function.
Featured buildings include Federation Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, AAMI Park, the Olympic Swimming Pool (Westpac Centre), The Melbourne Recital Centre and MTC Theatre, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum, CH2 and Monaco House. Click here to view a full list of buildings and speakers.
It was being delivered by the State of Design Festival with Melbourne Open House as a project partner.
The Sound of Buildings will provide a lasting resource for tourists, students and anyone interested in knowing more about the history and stories behind Melbourne’s built environment.
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2011-07-26 - iPhone application gives a voice to Melbourne’s buildings
The secrets behind 10 of Melbourne’s most recognisable buildings have been unlocked in a free iPhone application that takes users on a guided walking tour of one of the world’s most liveable cities.
Developed for the Victorian State of Design festival, the Sound of Buildings application was jointly funded by a $20,000 grant from the Coalition Government through Major Projects Victoria and was officially launched today by Major Projects Minister Denis Napthine.
“Victoria has a tradition of great architecture dating back to the gold rush and this application is a wonderful and innovative way to showcase our culture of good design,” Dr Napthine said.
“Sound of Buildings gives a behind-the-walls view of the inspiration and history behind our most prominent buildings to locals, architecture enthusiasts and visitors to Melbourne.
“This is not only a celebration of Melbourne’s unique buildings, it is also a fantastic tourism asset.”
Already download figures indicate there has been significant overseas interest in this application which features ten of Melbourne’s most iconic constructions, including AAMI Park, St Paul’s Cathedral, Federation Square and the National Gallery of Victoria.
“This application uses GPS to give directions to the 10 local icons, and then allows users to view images and listen to interviews with designers, users and developers while walking between the landmarks,” Dr Napthine said.
“Sound of Buildings will be a fantastic addition to the State of Design Festival and will complement the Melbourne Open House which takes place at the end of the month.”
Associate Victorian Government Architect Jill Garner said the tour would enrich the architectural experience of Melbourne’s landmark buildings, through its collection of personal stories about these icons.
“The tools of architecture include the drawing, but not everyone has the skill to understand the three dimensional implications of a drawing. Behind every drawing there is a process of invisible deliberation and a perception of an architectural experience – of space, of openness and closure, of light and shadow,” Ms Garner said.
“Buildings do talk – both to those who understand their architectural language, and to those who are moved or intrigued by space, materiality, detail, or by a shaft of sunlight through a strategically placed hole in a wall at a certain hour on a certain day.”
Cox Architecture Director Patrick Ness said the tour would allow people to engage with Melbourne in a new and exciting way and give people an interesting insight into the evolution of Melbourne architecture.
“These stories from the architects, engineers and builders of our city will offer a new understanding of the city and reinforce Melbourne as a thriving centre for cultural exchange.”
State of Design Festival Creative Director Kate Rhodes said the tour’s title was reference to how buildings interact with each other.
“Not only do the creators and end users of the buildings speak about their experience in the Sound of Buildings tour, but in some ways, so too do the buildings themselves,” Ms Rhodes said.
“As many of the architects note, there is carefully considered dialogue between a building, where it is located and the buildings that surround it. In addition to the individual stories behind each design and its development, there exists a 'conversation' between each of the buildings in this tour, across time and space.”
Out of the 10 locations featured in the Sound of Buildings, five are Major Projects Victoria developments. The full list includes:
• AAMI Park;
• Westpac Centre;
• Melbourne Recital Centre and MTC Theatre;
• National Gallery of Victoria;
• Federation Square;
• St Paul’s Cathedral;
• Council House 2 (CH2);
• Monaco House;
• Royal Exhibition Building; and
• Melbourne Museum.
The design of the application allows for more buildings to be added at a later date.
Dr Napthine said Sound of Buildings was a joint effort between Major Projects Victoria, the Victorian Government Architect, Cox Architecture and the State of Design Festival.
“I wish to congratulate all of these organisations for coming together to develop the Sound of Buildings,” Dr Napthine said.
Download The Sound of Buildings for your iPhone here
