Urban sound is a fleeting

Urban sound is a fleeting, immaterial and spatial aspect that does not usually receive the attention it deserves in urban planning. The Sonic Aggregator listening object changes this in two ways. On the one hand, the object is a visible “gathering place” for urban sound; on the other hand, it enables the participation of the communities involved. In addition, it offers a place in the urban space that is accessible to everyone. The listening object enables participation in an accessible and playful way and creates the conditions for critically examining listening experiences in the urban space in a collaborative and participatory work process.

The listening object

The object – a modular, sculptural installation – invites people to linger, listen and interact, transporting and conveying the idea of urban sound, like a kind of Trojan horse, directly into the urban environment. Sitting in the object’s acoustically perfected sound space, visitors can virtually navigate a defined part of the city via a touchscreen and immerse themselves in the respective sound worlds. The acoustic properties of the installation are such that the listener feels as if they are in the place where the recording was made. This makes it possible to compare places acoustically, or to change sound properties and simulate possible scenarios.