Soundscape is an urban-furniture which engages citizens with the public space

SOUNDSCAPE

AWARDS: HK'S TOP 1O PUBLIC SCULPTURES, TIME OUT HK (2015)
GOLD AWARD, DESIGN FOR ASIA AWARD (2014)
WINNER, PUBLIC ART PROJECT- TAMAR GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTER (2011)
CLIENT: HK GOVERNMENT
LOCATION:  TAMAR PARK, TAMAR GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTER, HK
STATUS: BUILT
COLLABORATORS: ALVIN KUNG, STEVEN HO
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: KIEN HOANG OF BURO HAPPOLD
CONTRACTOR: ASIA SIGN ENGINEERING CO., LTD. 

CONCEPT

TO CELEBRATE ITS SYMBOLIC RELATIONSHIP TO OUR CITY AND COUNTRY,
SOUNDSCAPE TAKES ITS FORM THROUGH THE VISUALIZATION OF CHINESE NATIONAL ANTHEM.
THE MELODY AND RHYTHM ARE INTERPRETED INTO AN UNDULATING ARCADE OF CURVACEOUS FRAMES.

VISUALLY, THE PLANE OF EACH FRAME IS SET PERPENDICULAR TO THE PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION FLOW
SO THAT THE APPEARANCE OF THE SCULPTURE VARIES DRAMATICALLY WHEN VIEWED
 FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES AND INTRIGUES VISITORS TO LINGER AROUND.

ACOUSTICALLY, THE MELODY OF NATIONAL ANTHEM CAN BE PLAYED WHEN VISITORS
OPERATES THE PERCUSSION DEVICES INSTALLED ON THE FRAMES.
THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE DEVICES RESPONSE TO THE TIME INTERVAL BETWEEN THE NOTES.

ERGONOMICALLY, SELECTED FRAMES ARE SHAPED TO CREATE PROFILES SUITABLE FOR
 SITTING, LYING, LEANING AND SHADING. ITS FRIENDLY YET ABSTRACT FORMATION INDUCES
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES OF CREATIVE USE AND BECOMES A FUNCTIONAL BACKDROP FOR THE LAWN.

CONSTRUCTION: 
 IN FACTORY, HUNDREDS OF STEEL TUBES ARE BENT PRECISELY INTO THE DESIRED RADII,
WELDED TOGETHER INTO FIVE MODULES AND DELIVERED TO SITE FOR QUICK INSTALLATION.
THIS OFF-SITE PRE-FABRICATION ALLOWS A HIGH LEVEL OF QUALITY CONTROL
AND MINIMIZES THE NUISANCE AND IMPACT CAUSED TO THE SENSITIVE GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS SITE.

The curvaceous form is a response to the site context.

The abstract form comes from visualization of Chinese National Anthem. It recalls the rockery in traditional Chinese garden.

Citizen interacts with the sculpture in their own creative ways.

The appearance of the sculpture varies dramatically when viewed from different angles and intrigues visitors to linger around.

The musical devices brings public participation to the next level by providing multiple senses of enjoyment.

The percussion devices are installed on the frames at controlled intervals so that the melody of National Anthem can be played when visitors strike them.

The sculpture locates right under Hong Kong Government Headquarter.

Innovative use of ordinary material- stainless steel pipes.

Soundscape becomes an attractive encountering point and social hub for locals, minorities and tourists.