spiralalala: the philharmonic spiral staircase reimagined as an instrument

as part of the 2018 MDF festival, panGenerator have playfully transformed the spiral staircase in the szczecin philharmonic in poland to create an audience-focused, audiovisual experience. using digital technology, the polish studio has modified the iconic staircase to create a 35m long, 15m high spatial voice-changing instrument, in an effort to invite human interaction to architecture.

all images and video courtesy of panGenerator

at the top of the staircase sits a container filled with balls and a microphone that is used to record a vocal sample into the ball. participants are encouraged to experiment with various sound effects and once the recording is finished, the ball is released from the microphone and begins to spiral down the 35m long track. panGenerator have implemented custom built gates along the track and infrared sensors to record the speed and position of the ball, which then ensures the voice recording is synchronized with the movement of the ball as it continues down to the container below. by using five speakers – one per floor – spatialization of the sound has also been achieved, generating the illusion of the sound “falling” with the ball.

streaks of light have also been used to show the movement of the ball as it slides down the track, to make the installation more visible to audiences gathered in the lobby below. the sensors and microcontrollers that have been used to measure the speed and position of the ball are used to create this display of light which follows the ball. the interactive nature of the installation is a deliberate choice by panGenerator to engage audiences with architecture and transform what was once a solid form, into an audience-driven audiovisual performance. 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom