Essay

Can Music Increase Your Potential?

What role does music play in your work as an architect? Do you listen to it while you design? Or do you incorporate it into your architectural designs, for your occupants?

In an article recently published by The Boston Globe, Carolyn Y. Johnson writes about a surgeon who listens to music while he operates. Also, he is conducting various studies to really understand what effect music has on both doctors and patients. In addition to improving the results of surgery, he thinks music might also be used for other types of medical treatments. (1)

For example, while listening to Mozart, patients needed less sedation, had “reduced stress hormone levels and had lower blood pressure(s) and heart rate(s)” than those that heard nothing. Similarly, Mozart proved to be quite a success when measuring the performance of surgeons. Their accuracy was notably improved. (1)

Architects Take “Note”

This type of research will provide great information for architects to utilize for their work. Both in architectural offices and within architectural schools, you will most likely find music playing — if not aloud then through headphones. During some creative challenges, music might actually help you (plus, different genres can provide you with different results).

If music plays a part in your design process already, well then, you’ve found something that is now being proven to work. And if music works for you — just imagine how it might work for the occupants in your building. There are all kinds of innovative ways in which to incorporate music into your design. It can impact experiences, functions and aesthetics on so many levels.

Reference

(1) Johnson, Carolyn Y., Musical Surgeon Examines the O.R. Soundtrack