Silence as the Essential Meaning of Sound Experience in Architecture (Case Study: Santa Maria Chapel of Bethlehem, Lembang, West Java)

Motivated by the desire to elevate the role of architecture for humans as active participants in the architectural process, this research aims to address the shortcomings of modern architecture, which increasingly becomes objectified. Many architectural products have turned into detached objects, separate from human experience, both bodily and mental. Furthermore, there is a notable loss of sensory experience, particularly auditory experience, as architecture often prioritizes ocular-centrism. Empirically, this phenomenon is prevalent, with architecture frequently imposing itself on its context—like a giant striving to showcase the most dominant form. To counter this obstructive influence, a complementary perspective is required-an experiential lens that incorporates not only visual perception but also auditory experiences. Such an approach seeks to create meaningful, holistic experiences within the spatiality of architecture. Using the case study of the Chapel of Santa Maria of Bethlehem in Lembang, West Java, this research employs a descriptive phenomenological method to uncover the essential meaning of sound experiences as subjectively experienced by humans. This method focuses on exploring and describing how individuals perceive sound in architectural spaces. By achieving the objective of revealing the core essential meaning of sound experiences in architecture, this study contributes to the enrichment of phenomenology in architecture, providing valuable insights for both theoretical exploration and practical application.