Welcome to Section 1 of my Module 3 Pilot Project featuring the Camden Highline.
As an introduction, this project explores how music and sound design can enhance the visitor experience in an unfinished urban space.
I’m developing this hypothetical pilot project for the Camden Highline, featuring a symphony of carefully curated sounds linked to the parent brand, location, and history to elevate the space.
I’ll be producing original compositions, ambient soundscapes, and sonic wayfinding cues over four weeks to enhance the visitor experience, aiming to foster mental well-being and deepen community engagement. These pieces will be shared on Substack for public feedback, while a specialised focus group representing key demographics will provide targeted feedback separately.
If you’re not part of the Focus Group, and would like to leave any thoughts, then click here.
Each week’s selection of music will reflect four areas of the Camden Highline.
I’ll be producing these initial pieces of music to integrate the character and requirements of the particular area within a set brief, but also making sure I reflect a set of weekly creative and technical choices to test. Any relevant feedback captured during the project’s progress that can be applied to ongoing compositions will be actioned.
At the end of the four-week process, I’ll upload any tweaked or reworked pieces of music or sound based on the feedback I’ve received, with my findings in a conclusion piece.
Let’s get cracking!
Section 1 - Camden Gardens.
Background and Brief.
Zone Context.
The western end of the Camden Highline begins in Camden Gardens, a five minute walk to Camden Town Underground and Camden Market. The staircase rises from the south of the park, and then takes visitors through the railway arch at height. The stairs then rise again, through the tree canopy and onto a floating gantry, which offers unique views over the park and of the Victorian railway viaduct. All Highline entrances provide step-free access, and in Camden Gardens the rack & pinion, open-air lift recalls the industrial heritage of the area, offering an experience as enjoyable & unique as climbing the stairs.
The central arch will host a long communal table for visitors, with the other arches providing storage and visitor amenities.
Brief.
Objective:
Compose original ambient tracks, pieces or themes inspired by Camden Gardens’ industrial heritage and natural elements. Align soundscapes with the values and purpose of the project and the zone themes.
Creative:
Integrate instrumental elements evoking the unique character of the floating gantry and Victorian railway viaduct.
Motif Development: Repeating a small musical idea with variations.
Melodic Contour: Use arch-shaped and descending melodies to reflect historical and natural elements.
Interval Selection: Incorporate steps and leaps for variation.
Technical:
Utilize audio production techniques to aid creative choices and add atmosphere.
Main Section sound design.
To give you a grasp of where the music and sounds ‘live’ on-site, please refer to the diagram above.
Section 1 Main Theme. (Walk, Entrance and Staircase)
This is the core theme of this section. In this short version, you hear first the ‘thumps’, (see A in the diagram) to symbolise and suggest trains and tracks during the walk up to the site.
Much of the music for this project will be set around the 70 bpm mark - mimicking the resting heart rate and helping to slow down the mind and promoting relaxation. Very much not the rush for the train.
This is joined by various module synth tones suggesting (around the -1:39 mark) emphasising this industrial heritage - these tones are not too strong or brutal, but just enough to add movement.
At -1:10, a synth tone and melody are introduced as you enter and ascend the staircase. This continues with slight variations in timing (see Motif Development). The melody uses an arch-shaped melody and a descending melody as per the Creative requirement. This is mostly heard at the B points in the diagram.
Note: this main melody is the key theme for the entire Camden Highline pilot, and will appear in some format during the majority of sections. It will vary in timing, key and mood but will fundamentally be the same melody. This particular section is in C Major - C in Major or Minor will be the dominant key for the project.
Section 1 Floating Gantry / Seating Area theme.
Away from the rhythm, this theme - see areas C on the diagram - would do double duty, both as a background for the Arch seating area and the main platform above once the visitor had moved away from the core theme. This theme is in C Minor to contrast, but it would not clash with the main theme if heard overlaid a little (plus in reality directional speaker technology would be used).
Note: a version of the main CH theme at the -0:39 point.
This piece would be on a constant loop but would fade in and out at regular intervals.
Wayfinding.
On all areas of the Highline, there will be a requirement for some level of aural or sonic wayfinding for navigation. Sonic wayfinding is - and should be - as important as a visual signpost. It may be most useful for those with visual impairment or other disabilities which cause difficulties getting from A to B, but can be important and possibly enhance the experience for able-bodied visitors as well.
The below tones and sounds are designed at this point to be used across the site, so users can become familiar with the same set of sounds (like visual signage - consistency is important). I’ve listed their descriptions with the timestamps.
Wayfinding - Tones.
General ‘move forward’ tone. -0:38 to -0:32
Ascend tone. -0:29 to -0:24
Descend tone. -0:21 to -0:18
Proximity / Alert tone. -0:14 to -0:09
Exit / Finish section tone. -0:08 to -0:01
Wayfinding - Gestural.
These ‘gestural’ sounds are a starting point. Imagine running your hands through some flowers for instance - a trigger would be used to bring that experience to life and enhance it for everyone. It also can act as wayfinding, helping people along a set path. This is an example of different tones that could be used, and more will be developed and shown as we go through the 4 sections.
That’s it for this week, everyone! Please let me know what you think by filling in the form, leaving a direct message or a comment below — huge thanks for taking part.
Hey Graeme, I think this works well by combining the industrial with the pastoral; the modern with the traditional.
It also brings inferences of the rhythms of the railway to introduce the heritage of the space, while creating a floaty, airy feel that alludes to the fact that the route will be several feet above ground level.
Good work!
Cheers, Stuart B