Zackery Belanger | Innovative Acoustics and Architecture

Life With Strings Attached

Zackery Belanger is an expert in the form and material of acoustic architecture. For most of his career, he has questioned the dominant approaches in acoustics, convinced that intuitive, creative approaches are possible. He is the author of the essay Acoustic Ornament, which argues for consideration of non-acoustic surfaces and objects. In 2017 he founded the Detroit-based studio Arcgeometer. Belanger is a prolific speaker on acoustics and has worked extensively on architectural projects and products.
I first got to know Zackery and his work when he was a guest on a panel I co-hosted for the Venice Biennale. Fascinated by what he presented there, I was keen to have Zackery on the podcast to discuss the place of acoustics in architecture, how his approach is different to the dominant thinking in the field, and what this can teach us about sound as a part of our everyday lives.