A Retrospective on Sound Space and Its Rhizomatic Genealogy

Abstract The notion of sound space emerges as a multifaceted exploration within the music, artistic and architectural realms, delving into its evolution from a musical object to a transdisciplinary aesthetic event. Rooted in the interplay of sound and space, the term defies strict definition, reflecting a dynamic amalgamation of interpretations throughout its historical practices and conceptualisations. This article engages with different perspectives on the subject of sound space, bringing together a group of architects, sound engineers, artists and researchers – all of them dedicated to sound – to discuss the sensitive experience of listening to space, within material, and/or dematerialised realities. The methodology was based on a series of interviews, confronting their different points of view, therefore building a compelling retrospective around the subject of study. In this exploration, sound space emerges as a complex entity that transcends traditional boundaries, offering a unique lens through which practitioners redefine architecture, challenge perceptions and engage in a dynamic interplay between sound, space and the listener’s experience. The resulting territory is depicted as a rhizomatic system with diverse temporalities coexisting and influencing the understanding of sound space within phenomenal and material perspectives. It portrays a dynamic and evolving system, celebrating diversity and interaction in a transdisciplinary field.