Visual Acoustics
Visual Acoustics was a solo project to develop an aesthetically pleasing and acoustically effective noise reduction panel.
Microscopic Brain Cells
Process
The PDI Studio is a beautiful place - full of vibrant people, lots of light, and plenty of inspiration. Until one looks up, and their eye meets disgust. Further, the acoustics in the room are horrible and sound quickly builds to cumbersome levels.
I took inspiration from natural structures, as the wood flooring and organic creativity in the space needed to be matched with organic overhead structures. I looked at both brain cells and bone at a microscopic level, and tried to incorporate them into the final design.
I sketched out a number of different versions to attempt, and began prototyping.
The first prototype was a learning experience, and nothing more. The key take aways were more neutral colors (less they convey bloodiness) and a better balance of positive and negative space. What followed was a more advanced prototype, represented below.
Before
As can be seen, the upper third of the space is rather uninspired, and I found through surveying my peers I am not the only one who enjoys looking up and into the distance to let my mind wander.
Something needed to be done, and fast. However, acoustics could not be overlooked, as that is another prevailing problem in the Studio.
There are two components to acoustic transmission: wave continuity and reverberation. Bone has remarkable acoustic impedance due to its porosity and rigidity, thus making it a good candidate on both the aesthetic and acoustic fronts.
No data could be found on the acoustic impedance of brain cells.
After
With this in mind, I integrated the bone structure and brain tissue arrangements in a Solidworks surface model, prototyped the embodiment, and rendered the product in KeyShot with a number of different color schemes.
My peers and I appreciated a lighter shade, so to not be obtrusive and match better the color of brain and bone tissue. I had also tried an orange and a red, both of which were nauseating.
Finally, I photoshopped the product into the space in place of the current tiles as a means of expressing in fullness the difference this product would have when in place.
