NASA Orbit Pavilion, a new structure designed by StudioKCA in collaboration with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and sound artist Shane Myrbeck, looks to give visitors the experience of being surrounded by the sounds of satellites in space when it opens on Oct. 29 at The Huntington Library.
The idea behind the design of the structure was to mimic the experience of holding a seashell to one’s ear and hearing the ocean, but to do so on a much larger scale. Visitors won’t just hold this giant cosmic shell to their ears, they will walk inside of it and be met with “a symphony built out of the sounds of satellites in space,” according to Jason Kilmoski, Principal of StudioKCA.
Consisting of 28 speakers spatially arranged to mimic orbits, the pavilion acts as a sound chamber as satellites, represented by distinct, artistically created sounds, seem to swirl around visitors from above, below, and to all sides. There are 20 unique sounds in total, representing the International Space Station and 19 earth satellites.
The physical design of the structure also reflects the paths of space satellites. 100 orbital paths are cut via water jet into the 3,500 sf of aluminum panels that cover the aluminum framework of the pavilion. The design also minimizes external noise and decreases wind loads to make the experience for those within as immersive as possible.
The NASA Orbit Pavilion debuted in the summer of 2015 at the World Science Festival at New York University and will be on display at The Huntington Library until Feb. 27, 2017.
Click here to listen to the “symphony” of satellites.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jan 20, 2021
Abandoned Miami hospital gets third life as waterfront condo development
The 1920s King Cole Hotel becomes the Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami in the largest residential adaptive reuse project in South Florida.
Market Data | Jan 19, 2021
2021 construction forecast: Nonresidential building spending will drop 5.7%, bounce back in 2022
Healthcare and public safety are the only nonresidential construction sectors that will see growth in spending in 2021, according to AIA's 2021 Consensus Construction Forecast.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 14, 2021
The Weekly show, Jan 14, 2021: Passive House innovations, and launching a design studio during the pandemic
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders about innovations in Passive House design, and the challenges of building a design team and opening a new design studio during a pandemic.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 8, 2021
Student housing development in the time of COVID-19
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, many college and university residences were completed in time for classes, live or virtual. Here are 14 of the best.
Contractors | Jan 7, 2021
The Weekly show, Jan 7, 2021: Preconstruction boot camp, and leadership strategies for navigating a challenging market
The January 7 episode of BD+C's The Weekly is available for viewing on demand.
Architects | Jan 5, 2021
Ware Malcomb finds itself in the mix for multiple diverse projects
Its latest completion is an office/factory/warehouse combo for one of Marvin Window’s brands.
Architects | Jan 4, 2021
Moody Nolan receives 2021 AIA Architecture Firm Award
Founded by Curt Moody, FAIA, NOMA, and the late engineer Howard E. Nolan, the firm’s work is centered on the belief that diverse perspectives foster creativity and more responsive solutions.
AEC Tech | Dec 17, 2020
The Weekly show: The future of eSports facilities, meet the National Institute for AI in Construction
The December 17 episode of BD+C's The Weekly is available for viewing on demand.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 16, 2020
What the Biden Administration means for multifamily construction
What can the multifamily real estate sector expect from Biden and Company? At the risk of having egg, if not a whole omelet, on my face, let me take a shot.
Giants 400 | Dec 16, 2020
Download a PDF of all 2020 Giants 400 Rankings
This 70-page PDF features AEC firm rankings across 51 building sectors, disciplines, and specialty services.