Cortical

Fusion

Walkthrough

Echolocation

The sonic zones room has black walls with a colored holographic object projected in the center of the room. This image changes shape from a rounded figure to something more jagged. Surrounding the image are numerous zones of sound, creating a plurality of unique soundscapes at multiple points in the room. The room invites visitors to perceive the image from different sonic locales and to search for a match between object and sound.

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How does this shape sound to you?

Imagine yourself walking through this space, listening to these sounds. What shape should correspond to each? Are they pleasant? Would you move around to explore them, or would you stay in one spot? Should the corresponding shape be static or ever-changing? How does sound relate to motion, shape, and space?

Example 1

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Example 2

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Example 3

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Example 4

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Example 5

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Technology

The sonic zones of the room are achieved via the technique of wave field synthesis. Also referred to as holophony, wave field synthesis creates the spacial illusion of sound originating not from mounted speakers, but from any point in the room or even beyond its walls. Small speakers tile the walls and ceiling, where they work in ensemble to create artificial wavefronts of illusory sound sources. Using this technique, a completely immersive three dimensional sound environment is achieved.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_field_synthesis
http://recherche.ircam.fr/equipes/salles/WFS_WEBSITE/Index_wfs_site.htm
http://www.syntheticwave.de/
http://www.holophony.net/Principle%20of%20wave%20field%20synthesis.htm