"Silence is an empty space. Space is the home of the awakened mind." -Buddha
Given our busy and often hectic current lifestyles, our ability to quiet the mind has become increasingly challenged over the years. The digitalization of our communication forms has accelerated our tendency to fill nearly every waking moment with some type of stimulus. From beeping alarms to flashing text alerts, from incoming emails to a deluge of types of entertainment at our fingertips, it can be challenging to find stillness and calm in the center of this modern maelstrom.
Many of us are so unused to true quiet that we even utilize white noise machines in order to lull ourselves to sleep. This kind of constant visual or auditory input can lead to undue stress on our emotional and physical health. It's no surprise that humanity is beginning to examine ways to combat the clutter and chaos of continual sound and digital chatter.
With the advent of COVID-19, we have all been spending more time indoors, and as a result, more time focusing inward. We feel this trend will increase on a macro level and will continue to be extremely influential on the world of design. In this essay, we"ll concentrate on history, health impacts, practices, and materials to utilize in the design field to create and augment the design aesthetic of silence.
History and Health
For as long as humans have cohabitated, there has been a need for personal quiet and seclusion. Whether observing spiritual rituals in the retreat of a separate shelter, retreating to the study at the end of the day, or creating a separate space for meditation and reflection, we have always had an innate need to find ways in which to disconnect from our more social daily practices.
As noise pollution has increased, so have the detrimental effects on all life forms, human beings included. National Geographic reported that in addition to hearing loss, exposure to loud noises can cause “high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and stress.” It can also lead to hypertension, memory and concentration disturbances, anxiety, depression, and dementia. As decibel levels continue to rise globally, our need to retreat rises commensurably.
And silence has evolved beyond just an auditory state in terms of the design world. Visual “noise” can be just as invasive as we navigate a world filled with flashing digital screens, high contrast patterns, loud colors and other forms of optical chaos. Prolonged focus on computer screens with continuous incoming data can contribute to mental overload and fatigue. Studies have suggested that visual noise can even exacerbate migraines. Previous design styles that tended towards maximalist aesthetics like layered colors and busy art collages seem to be falling out of fashion as industries and consumers alike are pursuing simpler and more natural visual landscapes.
Quiet has become a rare commodity as the psychological need to stay connected via email, social media, and other digital platforms creates a fear of missing out on critical information if we “unplug” for even a moment. It follows that a certain segment of people are now actively trying to cultivate silence both internally and externally. Whether through private meditation or yoga practice or in seeking out silent retreats, spas, and other businesses, the desire for stillness has never been stronger. Allowing oneself to “power down” the mind enables them to later emerge refreshed and ready for new input. It allows us to process data and focus on our own thought, and improves memory function and creativity.
As a contrast with the effects of noise on our health, the effects of silence are quite remarkable, leading to reduced stress, better memory, improved sleep, and even the production of more brain cells in the hippocampus and recovery of cognitive ability. Quieting the mind also increases focus, creativity, and productivity. So how do we best achieve auditory and visual silence in the context of hotel design? Much like with any design process, we can begin with a blank canvas and first focus on planning the physical space itself.