Msc2G5:Midterm

Hua Fan & Jorik van den Bos

Developing a multi-performative Interactive Acoustic System for the Science Center.

Primary problem statement

Lessen the sound in the building by absorption, encourage the visitors to be more quiet (especially children) and give expression to the acoustics of the Science Center

Concept

The concept is composed of the following aspects:

Museum
- Short term layer (mostly interesting for children)/ long term layer (mostly interesting for adults)
- Sensors differentiate between adults and children

Reflection
- Paint a picture of the sound over the long-term

Interaction
- Interact with children: whispering LED animals with fun facts

Acoustic properties
- Sound ceiling with acoustic properties, passes down data to the LED painting

Inspiration

"Whisper - Whispering makes the children curious. They want to know if something secret is going on. Whispering gets their attention much more than yelling." [1]

“If you interrupt us while we’re talking, we will not respond. Learn to pay attention.” [2]

Soundless rooms

Nature, trees, plants, animals reacting to children (Mittal Children’s Medical Centre at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital)

Acoustic ceilings

Record sounds based on people's height using different sensors

Pixelated animals walking across LED screens, living/whispering in the silence

Whispering ceiling, intensify sound

Dandelion: sound installation from Roland Maurmair. The dandelion says 'pssh' to encourage visitors to come closer, and shushes when the visitors make too much sound.