Underground Straus Park
Capturing, amplifying, and manipulating sounds & vibrations were the main drivers in the Underground Straus Park.
Located along Broadway Avenue between 106-107th street in Manhattan, physical and mental resonance were employed in chambers of different shapes and materials. In capturing both the sounds and activities of above ground(People, vehicles, animals) & the underground(Subway, city infrastructure), visitors encounter a unique and immersive sensorial experience of the city like never before.
Existing material study on Site
Axonometric without roofs
Chambers at different occupancy & time
Presence of nearby 1,2,3 subway lines running parallel to Straus Park
Entry ramp down + Site section
Materials for mockup salt vibration experiment
Layout of chambers
Listening, resonance & sound wave deflection diagrams
Physical model study of sloping towards underground subway tunnel
Salt vibration experiment on Cork material base
Material Study
To understand the implications of harnessing different vibration frequencies, salt vibration studies were undertaken to understand the effects on different chamber materials.
Piezoelectric potential
A further study of Piezoelectric potential was undertaken to understand how the park’s energy needs(lighting, sprinkler, underground heating & cooling could be provided for by existing site vibrations
DIY piezoelectric set up.
Vibration(finger tapping) on the piezoelectric node charges a current that is later released to the lightbulb when the button is pressed. No other power source involved.