As much as we like to tell ourselves that humans are social creatures, we equally yearn to be solitary. Interacting with others is intrinsic to our nature, but there comes a point when we wish to retreat and seek isolation. We can all appreciate Jean-Paul Sarte’s memorable insight in his play No Exit that “Hell is other people”, that being under the constant gaze of our neighbors can feel confining and oppressive. Being away from others allows us to reflect, to attain the kind of clarity to spur creativity and sort out the stress of daily life. Solitude describes this voluntary isolation, and this is inherently a good thing. Sometimes it is more important to keep others out than to let others inside, as a matter of happiness.
How does one go about bringing solitude to space? It seems that controlling sound is essential, especially by assuring an absence of it. As the Simon and Garfunkel song reminds us, the “sound of silence” allows us to focus our thoughts, make realizations about our larger reality. Modern life is noisy and all-encompassing. We become anxious, irritable and mentally exhausted due to overstimulation and we realize that we are far removed from our primordial natural state, which was a quiet one until relatively recently in our history as a species.
Each feature in this issue brings into focus the various ways in which we seek solitude. Drawing upon his early experience working in recording studios, Brandon Stewart, AIA goes into detail in the science of sound and acoustics, showing that a proper understanding of this phenomenon can yield interiors that heighten a sense of ease, where you can hear yourself think. Sahana Ashwathanarayana longed her whole life for quiet sanctuary from the bustle of city life in India and applies Hindu wisdom to uncover how Dallas area parks achieve solitude. Erin Peavy, AIA and Alex Jones, Associate AIA, sort through the latest research that supports designing quiet, contemplative spaces that incorporate nature as a strategy to foster better mental health. And finally, as a real treat for our readers, Russel Crader has crafted an original poem, The Weight of the Ordinary, which meditates on solitude in art and architecture in that most contemplative style of writing: verse. There is plenty to learn and think about when reading this collection of pieces, preferably while experiencing it in delightful solitude.
Julien Meyrat, AIA
Editor-in-Chief
