Ceilings tend to be neglected spaces within architecture. Working within a team, we challenged ourselves to think about its potential for enhanced visual and functional performance.
Panaudicon is an acoustic unit that can be arranged across a ceiling plane to reduce reverberation times and enhance the qualities of the space.
Each unit is composed of six cones, which in turn are made from four polystyrene panels. The panels are covered with an array of pyramids that help to scatter sound waves as they enter cone, reducing their ability to continue propagating throughout the space.
Sound pressure is best reduced when the cones are facing the source. We arranged them in a circular array to maximize their effectiveness within dynamic spaces like gymnasiums where sound sources are inconsistently placed.
Digital fabrication techniques were used to aid building the complex geometries of the design. A hot wire, connected to a robotic arm, was able to produce our panels. The panels were then fastened to laser cut shells, which were assembled together with a 3D printed central node. LED lights and a microcontroller sit within the node and enhance the visual qualities of the design.
Panaudicon was on display over Stephen Avenue during Chinook Blast (February 2021) in Calgary, Canada.
Project members:
Arpun Dhillon
Faraz Shapourzadeh
Vikram Johal
Yasmin Tajik
Zachary Ward
Zainab Ahmad
