MUSIC AND ARCHITECTURE:

A PHENOMOLOGICAL APPROACH
Phenomenology, a philosophical movement originating in the
20th century, the primary objective of which is the direct
investigation and description of phenomena as consciously
experienced, without theories about their causal explanation
and as free as possible from unexamined preconceptions and
presuppositions.
 PROCESS OF DESIGN

Is there any similarity in process of design in architecture and music?

In music we have elements like shruti, swar, swarsamuh, alaaptaan to build up a raga.In architecture elements point, line plane, composition
of planes, section, dimension texture are used to design a building.
Progression in raga is like progression in architectural design.

Just like music culture and geography do have an effect on the design outcome
A raga and a building both are compositon of components. It is a kit for building up of raga or a building and also having an ascending and
descending order.

Any period of time components are same for both the art forms.
Rules are there but not a mechano. Variations are there. This applies to both music and architecture. As there is classical music there is
classical architecture.

The process is same in both the cases. There is a progression.

The progression of Raga is like a building.

In music end is climax which is temporal. In architecture it is visual.

Prima facia a strong connection is seen.
 DESIGN CONCEPTUALIZATION
AND DETAILING

Is there any similarity in design conceptualization and detailing in music and

architecture?
Yes very much similar. In music ---the raga picture is conceptualized in the artist mind -personcentric, way of looking at the raga,
environment, and concept.
Architecture – data available from the client, concept, environment, refining, budget.

Yes. When we design in traditional arch or modern architecture there is a system wherein basic standards are there.There is an
incremental change in the structure keeping the main frame same the expression changes but ordering is same. The structure
changed gradually which suits the context. Variations are done in decorative elements.
100% parallel in architecture.
Ideas, start designing, set principles, implementation, practical aspects, and maintenance. Without changing the original set rules
changes can be made during implementation.

It can be done from concept to working drawing stage.But while constructing very minor changes can be done.
Prima facia a strong connection is seen.

Yes very much similar. In music ---the raga picture is conceptualized in the artist mind -personcentric, way of looking at the raga,
environment, concept.In architecture with different ideas, designing is done with set principles, followed by implementation
taking into account practical aspects and maintenance factors. Without changing the original set rules changes can be made
during implementation. The structure changed gradually which suits the context. Variations are done in decorative elements .
 INFLUENCE OF TRAINING

Is there any influence of training, school of thought in Architecture like

Music?
Yes there is a parallel in architecture.
Yes in classical architecture. There were craftsman guilds in traditional architecture.
When Muslims came to India the profile of domes and arches were copied in the prevailing trabeated system
When Gujarat craftsmen came to Maharashtra the Haveli not copied but modified because of patronage, climate. Basic skills are there but
changed. Some similarity there but manifestations are different.
It all depends on individual style, experience, the patronage of the designer, idols of the designer, exposure, reading and observation.
Experience is the main criteria

There is an effect of architectural training schools-style. Also there is individual contribution.

Redesign can be done but the function should not be compromised.
For eg– the Jewish museum designed by Daniel Libeskind based on a musical notation has zigzag walls. Paintings cannot be put up on the
zigzag walls and hence the purpose of design is not achieved.

There are different Isms in architecture and gharanas in music.

Lot of commercialization is there whatever popular is followed in place of valuable.
Preyas – popular
Shreyas- valuable
Prima facia a strong connection is seen.
 SCALE

Is there some similarity with reference to scale size between buildings and
musical composition?
This cannot be an analogy.It depends on how you comprehend a building.
Badakhayal is like acomplex, campuswherinurban design, openspace, clustering, environment, larger concerns are addressed.
Chotakhayal is like a building.- a gist of entire expression.

Can be related to the scale of project.

Very simplistic, veryliteral.Analogy not correct.

In 3min – entire raga can be explained as Villa savoye, Ronchampe are small buildingsbut will take time to comprehend. Scale won’t matter.
Intensity of the factors that create effects of complexity and beauty is what matters.

Tajmahal-the structure of a very big scale can be in experienced in small time. Whereas in Fatehpursikri it takes more time as the enriching
factors are much more.

No they cannot be compared.

 SPACE AND TIME

Is there any interrelationship in terms of space, time and experience ?

Layering concept is correct.
Layer wall openings
 
Swarsamuhalaap pauses.
In experience you can see. How does an experience unfold. In a complex- entry-corridor-shops-gopuram-pujari house-bathing tank-
sabahmandap-deity.Layer by layer you travel through time to reach the climax. Same as raga.
Set of experiences built in time and space.

Vistas creating different visual impacts.

For eg: TajMahal
From distance small glimpses and then coming to the final experience.
Movement from one part to another.
Tajmahal- monotonous experience.

Ajantha caves- not seen in one go. Time also plays role- rainy,summer.
How component parts are disposed. Articulation.
Music- experience while performing.Architecture – after
Both art are experience
 PARALLELS IN STRUCTURE
AND COMPONENTS

Are there any parallels in structure, components and

decorative features?
Yes there is a parallel in this.
In architecture you have foundation, plinth, floors, roof and then decorative elements.
Roof is the climax point culmination

Building towards a climax.Larger layout- building plan-garden

Applicable in historical buildings.Base- apex
In temples – cross many levels for the culmination point.

Culture- hindu – self

Christians- choir –group

Repurcussions in all art forms.

Arch – creativity-context-taught to identify issues and resolve-

Music- creativity – no context.
 AESTHETIC COMPONENT

What are the aesthetic components that are part of both the art forms
Very nice parallel.
Bracket is a functional as well as decorative element. The design of the bracket varies contextually. In Temple, wada the structural material is
black basalt whereas inHaveli, temple in rajasthan the structural material is marble.
As per the tradition and culture the composition changes.
Yes.
Column structural element - Doric column (decorative element.)
Single note – khatka(decorative element)
Yes they can be related.

Decorative elements to enhance the beauty.

Without decoration- basic fundamentals should be crystal clear.

Same as musicians. As there are Gharanas in ICM there is differentIsmsin architecture.

Purity influenced by circumstances, influence of society.

Process is same.
 CHANGING TIME

Is there some change observed in architecture in changing time?

Yes very much. Minimalism practice in architecture. Simplification.
Modern movement- no fringes only functional. Bare minimum things. Thrust is on minimalism. Cannot listen to raga for whole day –say in
short.
Time and culture has changed. Socioeconomic factor-speedy work. Relationship-joint family nuclear family. Related to money. Giving time
and doing this-patronage.
Changing time – performance in one hour.

Presentation quality- performer -90% accompanist-10%

Yes very much.Minimalism practice in architecture

Architecture-speed of construction
Executing agencies – architect is coordinator.

Ecology, People, Devotional and related, Sateable, Needbased, Arts.

 CREATING INTEREST

How interest is created in architecture? Is there any similarity exists with

music in this context?
Yes very much. Texture, colour are the attributes used to avoid monotony.
Yes.
Le Corbusier- secretariat bldg – little elements are used but monotony avoided-fins orientation, organization.
Span is like taal- 3 bays – 4bays- astrong gridis formulated.
Variations of repetitive elements

Experiences are intangible in both the art forms.

Minimal architecture practice-the end product is raw-there is monotony.
Yes definitely.

Tools used arescale, colour, texture, axis to avoid monotony.

Lingaraja temple –an axial Nagar style temple -outside decorative, inside plane.

Message – leave thoughts outside and concentrate on the worship of deity inside.
 THANK YOU

DR.SANJEEVANI PENDSE