It is a famous fact that architect Steven Holl used the 'Stretto' form of music and in particular the piece 'Music for Strings, Percussions and Celesta' written in 1936 by the Hungarian composer Béla Bartók as inspiration for the design of The Stretto House (Dallas). The idea emerged after Holl discussed with a student if there was a piece of music which mirrored the flow of water on the site. The student pointed to the Bartok piece in the 'Stretto' form which was based on four separate sections characterised by overlapping heavy percussive and light string movements. Holl represented this 'overlapping' idea by dividing the house into four sections linked by the overlapping 'flow' of light and materials.

This is a more 'high brow' association between between music and architecture where Holl has directly used the form of the music as a basis for the form of the house. There is no abstract logical or mathematical link between the creation of the music and the design of the house (apart from the fact that the Holl split the house into 4 sections). The architect has used the flow of water and a piece of classical music as an inspiration for the form of his design.

read more here:

Storiesofhouses.blogspot
Steven Holl Website