Synopsis:

Looking at music in different time periods, from baroque to twenty first century experimental music, there is a relationship between the architecture of spaces music is composed in and performed. During the 20th century for the first time we started performing and revisiting music from previous periods. The architecture of auditoriums and opera houses were challenged to accommodate a wide range of sounds and styles of music. In today’s modern or trans-modern era we design generic multipurpose performance halls and spaces to accommodate any music and program.

Tunable Sound Cloud is a responsive architectural system designed to enhance ones auditory experience of space. TSC allows architecture to become an extension of the performers instrument.
Actuated with a matrix of Shape Memory Alloys and Stepper motors and controlled through Arduino micro-controllers, TSC responds in real-time to the acoustic needs of it’s environment.
The auditory data is streamed through microphones and analyzed through MAX/MSP software which adjusts the skin surface for sound reflection/ absorption of TSC in different scenarios.
The sound chamber and geometry of the space are controlled by Grasshopper through Rhinoceros modelling tools (software). Working with architectural 3D design tools as a communication port between the virtual modelling/design  and physical actuation allows the design become more direct. The software becomes just an interface in the physical realm.
The TSC application could be manually adjusted for customized spatial moments or put on programmed mode which allows the software to autonomously calibrate the system through a series of feedback loops. TSC’s modular design allows for large scale expansions and site specific installations.

Mani Mani
December 19^th, 2009
Toronto

The Tunable Sound Cloud is adesign-research and construction of an acoustic cloud with real-time responsive capability to enhance acoustic properties of interior environments. This system is designed with a dynamic self supporting spaceframe structure and layered with a responsive surface actuated with memory alloy materials to control sound behavior.

This architectural application is being designed and researched as a flexible+customizable modular system to be utilized in lecture halls, music performance halls, commercial spaces or domestic environments.If the Tunable Sound Cloud fully developed, it has the potential to become a domestic product to change the way architects/acousticians design interior spaces. This project uses acoustics as a dynamic element of architecture.