Sound Playground (overview) 1993 Bronx NYC

Permanent sound installation at P.S. 23, a Bronx elementary school, commissioned by the NYC Percent for Art Program. Sonic Architecture designed the entire playground including sound sculptures, paving, seating and landscaping. Site dimensions: approx. 20' X 150'. Bronze drum seats and tables where children create music and experiment with rhythm. Speaking tubes are embedded in the curved concrete bench so children can whisper messages across the playspace to one another. Wind bells are mounted on top of the chainlink fence, and the concrete paving is textured.

Big Eyes-Big Ears:

Rotating tower for extending the user's listening and viewing capabilities with parabolic dishes and a periscope. Painted steel, stainless steel, optics. 17' x 4' x 4'.

Parabolic Bench:

Ramped walkway between two 8' diameter vertical stainless steel dishes creates an acoustic space for reflecting and focusing sound. Children discover they can generate sound waves and stop them with a wave of the hand.

Echo Chamber:

Allows children to speak and listen to the acoustic properties of an underground chamber through pipes and parabolic dishes. Fabricated of painted steel and stainless steel dishes. Dimensions: 5' X 3' X 3'.