Artistic exchanges on architecture, music and design

Over the years, a lot has been said and written about the underpinnings that link the world of music and architecture. In more recent times, architects who are musicians (and vice versa) have also professed that the principles of form and structure, space and time – the building blocks of music – are also the building blocks that architecture is built on.

- Roy Thomas

With the advent of computers and ‘mathematical and statistical modelling’, this view – that both fields have strong mathematical moorings and roots – has since been scientifically confirmed. But beyond the commonality that unites these disciplines, the sheer visual beauty and harmony transport one to the realms of the metaphysical.

The wisdom of ancient times enshrined the view that humankind should live in sync with its surroundings and that construction (read architecture) was about respect for nature and the universe.

Italian connection

Italian architect, Andrea Palladio, felt that architecture could help us with three psychological virtues, “calm, harmony and dignity”.

Music has a similar depth. Built on harmonious, geometrical proportions and mathematics, it elevates purpose to a search for the inner spirit, and possibly a longing for serenity.

“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents,” said Ludwig van Beethoven.

Le Corbusier, a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter and one of the pioneers of modern architecture – better known in India for designing the city of Chandigarh – spoke of music being integral to key pursuits in his life.