A holographic sound image in the sky
Published: ASIA
CHINA: Construction completed on Shanghai Tower last year, which assumed the title of second tallest building in the world by height to architectural top and lays claim to being the world's tallest building, by height to highest usable floor. Floor 126 of 127 is located more than 600m above ground and hosts a concert hall and cultural space featuring a Barco Iosono sound system installed by the manufacturer’s Chinese 3D sound distributor, Full Dimension.
The Iosono solution is designed to create a holographic sound image. Full Dimension’s creative advisor, Grammy Award-winning composer Simon Franglen, known for his work on soundtracks for James Cameron movies Titanic and Avatar, produced a soundtrack especially for the space, inspired by the architecture and to tell the story of Shanghai. ‘When you look at the skyscraper, it doesn't look like any other skyscraper in the world,’ Mr Franglen explained. ‘It looks like it grows from the ground, rather than being stamped on the ground like many skyscrapers do. I wanted to write a piece of music that felt like it grew.’
In addition to an Iosono Core audio processor, 260 Fohhn Airea loudspeakers were installed in three layers that form the custom design that Full Dimension put together to follow the flow of the room’s architecture. ‘What I've done is written a piece of music that allows you to walk around inside it,’ said Mr Franglen. ‘If I want to put a bell in front of your face, I can.’
Mr Franglen’s composition has been performed by four orchestras and a choir and depending on the occasion will play at different lengths. Additional pieces have been produced by international artists, such as Germany’s Lukas Taido and Markus Pöchinger from Austria.