Senyai: Lighting and Acoustics

EPIPHYTE Lab, led by Dana Cupkova and Gretchen Craig, recently completed this architectural installation from new Shadyside Thai restaurant, Senyai (2017.)

Final installation in Senyai

This project, inspired by a body of water, utilizes 275 unique slats, to control acoustic levels and lighting in this small restaurant. Utilizing Architectural design software, Rhinoceros and Grasshopper, EPIPHYTE Lab was able to produce a script that creates the specific geometries for each panel based on where the highest noise levels were located and where those sound levels were dissipating.

Drawing of sound vectors affect on geometry

After creating the geometries, the software then produces the form of each panel and that panel can thus be digitally fabricated using a laser cutter, or most likely a CNC Router.

Each panel being completely unique is what led to the success of the installation. Each vault rises and falls, almost perfectly, so that the eye moves slowly over the geometry and follows the wave-like sensitivity of the form. The production of completely unique panels is greatly eased by the computational and digital software utilized. It would not be the same project with human constraints.

What led my love for this project is the intimacy of the product. This is truly a space making installation that is both functional and beautiful.

Read more about this project here: http://www.epiphyte-lab.com/senyai