[Image: Photo by Tõnu Tunnel].
These architectural objects are “gigantic wooden megaphones” for the forest, part of an acoustic installation in Estonia’s gorgeous Pähni Nature Centre for amplifying the sounds of the landscape.
[Image: Photo by Tõnu Tunnel].
“According to interior architect Hannes Praks,” we read in a newly published press release, “who leads the Interior Architecture Department of the [Estonian Academy of Arts] that initiated the installation project, the three-metre diameter megaphones will operate as a ‘bandstand’ for the forest around the installation, amplifying the sounds of nature.”
The actual design is by a student named Birgit Õigus.
[Image: Photo by Tõnu Tunnel].
Part building, part furniture, part recreational folly, they’re meant to focus visitor attention on the smallest acoustic details of the site—rainfall, branches brushing against one another in the breeze, distant footsteps, thunder.
[Image: Photos by Tõnu Tunnel].
Sit in them, read books, whisper to friends, listen to birds.
[Image: Photo by Tõnu Tunnel].
Not having visited these in person, I can’t speak to their performance—i.e. whether they function as planned—and the relatively orderly placement of each structure in the woods might very well lead to some unfortunately conservative acoustic effects.
[Image: Photo by Tõnu Tunnel].
Nonetheless, it’s a great idea for a project, and the geometric simplicity of the stained timber frame is compelling.
[Image: Photo by Tõnu Tunnel].
Of course, these bring to mind the so-called “acoustic mirrors” of coastal Britain that we looked at here more than a decade ago.
[Image: Photo by Tõnu Tunnel].
In turn, makes me wonder how these forest megaphones might appear six or seven decades from now, when small groups of hikers stumble upon the moss-covered forms of this old acoustic infrastructure, trying to determine amongst themselves if the strange audio effects and interrupted echoes they notice still filtering through the wooden forms are a curious accident or an engineered goal.
[Image: Photo by Tõnu Tunnel].
how does it sound when you shout in these megaphones?
Audio?
reminds me of Rebecca Belmore's piece called Ayumee-aawach Oomama-mowan, which is the Ojibwe phrase for Speaking to Their Mother.
What a wonderful idea! I'd love to sit inside one of these and meditate during springtime.
Do you have some audio? :/
Dear I would like to contact you regarding these marvelous wooden structures
We’re organizing an arts and music festival and would like to bring these to Belgium
Please contact me at thomas@kleinhouse.be
What size is the small hole of the megafone? What length is the construction?
Where can we get the blueprints?
I would love to do some kind of live album here …
A three piece.
I’m investigating the possibility. Contact me with any ideas or
participation.
Luiz.