The design challenge

The Architecture of the pavilion, despite its dimensions (20m x 20m x 20m), is imagined as an “invisible architecture” by using reflective, mirror-like, facade claddings able to reflect the surroundings and the daily change of light and colors. The focal point of the installation is the inner sphere carved out from the simple cuboid of the exterior. The result is an unexpected and Iconic volume that creates curiosity and encourages people to get closer and experience it inside-out.

Spatial Dynamics of the Inner Digital Dome 

The inner sphere, with a diameter of 22 m, is off-centered compared to the center of the Cuboid with the intention to create circular monumental openings for access and visibility on 3 of the 4 vertical faces of the building. The inner Digital Dome, fully covered with LED, forms a magnificent live installation. Connected to the Engagement Central Sphere at the center of the space (made of many high fidelity microphones) the AI system will convert the sounds and voices collected there in order to create the media expression showcased on the inner LED dome.

AI-Driven Acoustics: The Inner Sphere Installation 

In order to establish interaction between the visitors and the digital environment, we are utilising a central megaphone installation capable of capturing sound throughout the pavilion. This system records the voices of the people as well as the acoustic reverberations generated by their physical touches on the surfaces. The auditory information we gather is then processed with a customised artificial intelligence model in real time. By doing this, we are tracking the collective acoustic and energetic state of the space. With this filtered sound data, we continuously transform the captured voices and tactile interactions into dynamic graphics, creating a real-time visual experience mapped directly onto the curved LED inner dome.

The Reflective Shell and the Digital Heart 

While the outer skin of the Echoes-sphere is cladded in mirrored panels, to minimize the impact with its surroundings, the inner surface is fully cladded in curved hi-res LED tile with enough brightness to reproduce contents both during day and night time. On the reflective facade there is an additional layer of horizontal mirrored slats designed with the purpose to distort the reflected surrounding, the light and the colors and transform them in an exciting and alternative representation of the reality. This subtle but powerful statement works simply as a frame for the focal point of the entire installation represented by the digital AI generated contents on the Digital Dome.

uau design team

Gianluca Santosuosso, Shiryu Kawamura

Credits

Project developed in collaboration with EPG (Melle Parma) and Ouchhh Studio

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