Student Communication Center.

Katy’s and my proposal for the portable communications began with the idea of a video arcade game tossed around at Monday’s meeting. We began to create an analogy comparing the contributions that an arcade game makes to an arcade hall with what we the agenda we wanted this piece to take in its interaction with the rest of the studio. Everyone who has entered an arcade hall can see parallels between the jumbled collage of sound and light in an arcade to a studio session. In an arcade, many games add to an overall visual and auditory aura created throughout the space, but if one sits in a particular game, one is able to focus on the sound and graphics of that game. We wanted the communication center to have a similar effect—that is to allow focused interaction with the distant party without ignoring the surroundings. We also hoped that the center could contribute to the murmur of the studio both visually and through sound.


Thus the form we have created is reminiscent perhaps of a racing arcade game. One can occupy the space in a fairly relaxed position which is semi-enclosed. We have envisioned the structure as a series of ribs, perhaps wood, but preferably plexi-glass which would then use an inflatable system of cushions embedded in the structure to support the body. We have done some research on transparent and translucent sound insulating materials and suggest that the inside cladding between the ribs and the back full wall be made of a Lucite or ClearSonic paneling system. Then, we see the entire structure being covered in a thin skin, likely a textile, which would reveal the integrity of the structure while at the same time creating a solid, clean form. From the A/V team, we foresaw a flat panel screen which could pivot to allow the center to be used from the outside for studio meetings. The hope is that when the space is occupied, one would still have a sense of surrounding studio activity while sound insulating panels reduce studio ruckus to a low mummer and allow for focused interaction with the other party.



Also, the translucent skin and semi-enclosed spaces should work to transmit filtered sound and light into the studio to contribute to the overall studio happenings. In this way, the center becomes a semi-permeable membrane which filters a certain amount of light and sound in both directions.

Aside from working well in the studio, the center has been designed with wheels at the back of the construction and a handle at the front. Dimensions should allow it to be easily maneuvered through a standard door and the handle allows one person to move the center in a similar way one might move a wheel barrow.