2019–1001 Project Update

Sound has a direct connection to how we experience the built environment
and our overall comfort within a space. Recent research conducted at the
University of Michigan by marketing professor Aradhna Krishna shows that
certain ambient sounds create a feeling of safety in spaces that would otherwise make them uncomfortable due to a lack of human presence. I am planning to use the bottom floor of Avery Hall as the laboratory for my project. This space is often crowded and filled with the sound of human conversation during the day, but in the evening after Brownie’s Café is closed, it is often eerily vacant. I am seeking to utilize a feedback loop to measure when the decibel level drops below the level of normal human conversation, about 60 decibels. At this time, a decibel sensor will send a notification to IFTTT which will then notify an Amazon Echo placed in this space to begin playing ambient sounds. In theory, this will make the space more inviting and influence more students to utilize the space as a light night study area. The success of this feedback loop will be measured by motion detectors and door
sensors in the space.

Research Article: ‘What sounds make us feel safe in public?’

https://news.umich.edu/what-sounds-make-us-feel-safe-in-public/

Sensor Products:

Sound Level Meter with Large Screen LCD Display: https://www.amazon.com/TestHelper-30-130db-Display-Hanging-Measuring/dp/B0775YNF6F?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_4

Sound Level Monitor: https://noisemeters.com/cat/

Traffic Light Noise Level Monitor: https://www.amazon.com/Yacker-Tracker-Deluxe-Monitor-Inches/dp/B000GW032C/ref=asc_df_B000GW032C/?tag=hyprod20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198076825196&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2651732601351889224&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004078&hvtargid=pla-393796409028&psc=1

Amazon Echo pre-programmed ambient sounds:

— Thunderstorms
— Rain
— Ocean Waves
— Babbling Brook
— Fireplace
— Airplane
— Fan
— Oscillating Fan
— City
— Rainforest
— Train
— Crickets
— Frogs
— Birds
— Clock
— Cat
— Vacuum
— Pink Noise
— Brown Noise
— White Noise
— Wind
— Windy Leaves
— Windy Trees
— Rain on a Tin Roof
— Rain on a Tent
— Light Rain
— Rain on a Window
— Distant Thunderstorm
— Shower
— Space Deck
— Hair Dryer
— Clothes Dryer
— Dishwasher
— Wind Chimes
— Whale
— Windy Meadow
— Heavy Rain
— Dripping Water
— Fountain
— Waterfall
— Forest Night
— Washing Machine
— Heartbeat
— Café
— Dream
— Blizzard
— Owl
— Underwater
— A Random Sound