Anechoic Chamber, South Bank University, London
As the name suggest, the chamber is designed to be echo-free or non reflective for sound waves. Traditionally, developed to conduct a wide variety of sound related experiments, this chamber provides an experience where all the sound energy transmitted from the source travels away from the source and non is reflected back to it. The anechoic chamber in South Bank University provides a surreal experience, where all previously unperceived notions of sound become apparent. Such as sound of blood flowing through the body, thumping of heartbeats and by spending few minutes in the chamber, one becomes hyper-aware of their body and its existence with relation to the space around.
Link to project page: http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/case-studies/acoustics-anechoic-reverberation-chamber
Backside Of The Moon, Naoshima
Back of The Moon is one of many other architectural treasures on Japans’s “Art Island”. Its is a timber clad structure with a pitch black interior which renders you blind till the time your eyes slowly start adjusting to the practically no light environment. Eventually, as your eyes begins to adjust, you begin to get a sense of environment around you and the painstakingly detailed eerie grey light installations become visible. This structure represents the essence of how light and darkness can be harnessed to create truly powerful experiences.
Link to project page: http://jamesturrell.com/work/backsideofthemoon/
