Ankergasse Zurich

Some objects very specific to the location are forks and plates. Located next to the Münstergasse, at which multiple restaurants and coffee houses surround the space, the noise of cutlery used stir the coffee or to enjoy delicious meals, is very present within the the chatter and the steps of the people keeping busy alley alive during daytime. The sounds produced are very clicky and high pitched. Due to the low amplitude of the sound produced by the object, it is quite fastly absorbed and doesn’t resume in any long decayed reverberation. Still it creates an interesting soundscape with just little changes in the matter of the objects. Differences in the cutlery used or in the size of the paltes on which it is used, the sounds differ in pitch and the loudness increases when the meal is harder and suddenly cracks as for example a crispy cake base.

Part 2

Red Area (00:00-00:10):

Starting point of the walk. Münstergasse is a pretty narrow alleyway that pierces the dense urban fabric of the Niederdorf. It is always packed to the brim with people and you can constantly hear chatter and steps. It it quite loud as well.

Green Area (00:10-00:50):

The first section of Ankengasse is very narrow and you feel like you’re in a tunnel. The sounds from the Münstergasse feel like you are hearing them through a pipe and one’s footsteps rapidly bounce off the walls and reflect in space

White Area (00:50-00:54) and (01:24-02:14):

The main “square” of Ankengasse, is known for its fountain. The water drops cannot be heard in the narrow alley but are very audible once in the square. The acoustic quality of this space is also reflective due to the 6-story buildings towering over it.

Yellow Area (00:54-01:24):

The Älpli Bar. A typical Swiss tavern made entirely out of wood. They specialise in traditional Swiss Ländler Musik. The acoustic quality is warm and welcoming, with the wood absorbing quite some sound waves..

Blue Area (02:14-02:34):

Similar acoustic properties as the green area.

Black Area (02:34-End):

The loudest part of our walk. The culmination of open space, river, bikes, cars, and trams.