10/22/2019 — Project Update

For my mid-term project, I have been studying how the presence of sound in a vacant space can effect an occupant’s comfort and perception of safety in that space.

I plan to place a D-Link DCS-8010LH camera in Avery 505 and utilize its motion detection capability to trigger an Amazon Echo Dot to play sound when no motion is detected for a period of 5 minutes between the hours of 9PM-6AM.

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The first routine will run this Tuesday and Wednesday nights between the hours of 9PM — 6AM. If the D-Link camera goes longer than 5 minutes without detecting motion, it will be triggered to play white noise for 20 minutes. I set the white noise to play for 20 minutes to more accurately test if occupants are more prone to leave the room once the music has stopped.

The second routine will run this Thursday and Friday nights between the hours of 9PM — 6AM. The settings will be the same, but will play classical music instead of white noise. My goal is to test how the room’s occupants react to different types of sounds.

I originally had planned to study the soundscape of Avery’s basement, but am now considering Avery 505 as I believe it might be a more reasonable place to install a camera for a prolonged period of time. I also think that the motion detection here will more accurately measure the room’s use as many people pass through the basement of Avery at night on their way from Fayerweather Hall to Avery, or vice versa, but aren’t intending to spend time in Avery’s basement.