Soundscape Analysis, Daniel Alonso

Inhabiting the area between Lincoln Lane North and 17 Street, between Washington and Pennsylvania Avenues in Miami Beach exists the New World Symphony. A site dissected by the Frank Gehry built structure that is a performance hall and parking garage (on the west end of the block) and the West 8 landscape intervention that greets the visitor upon arrival. These two distinct projects live in tandem with one another through the use of design and technology. Although much can be written about the New World Symphony this writing will focus specifically on an evening performance and the experience of the sound scape and wall cast, a free public service that the NWS has chosen to implement where if one cannot afford, or maybe not want to go inside the NWS, can still enjoy a performance.

Upon entering the Park, which can be done from any end really, you are greeted by a landscape inherently foreign to what one sees and expects on Miami Beach. The park takes about half of a city block and is immensely open. Sparse use of tall and dense vegetation is supplemented by free form built structures that are much needed to add some scale to the project. These structures add more intrigue to the visitor when noted that some actually serve multiple purposes. For instance, the sound scape, is manifested as a series of large tubular metal columns that are connected to each other at the top. There are two rows of these and one is expected to sit between them. These structures designate the space that is used for the wall cast, offer a structure that screens so that one feels like they are in a sort of exterior room, and provide sound for what is being displayed ahead. If one turns around they are greeted by probably one of the more odd and intriguing structures of the park. A large free form sort of sphere, raised off the ground with four eyes, project what is being viewed the wall opposite. appears like something from war of the worlds, but it is understood that it is a massive projector, projecting exquisite quality video on the NWS building proper. This also furthers the dialogue between building and park.

This is one of the ways that the park and building live in tandem. The technology employed really acts as a billboard for, if nothing more, passersby catching a glimpse of what this city has to offer. Best case scenario, they also partake in the experience on an impromptu whim which is one of the most successful aspects of this park. This dialogue between building and park does not end there. If viewed in plan the park quite evidently mimics the interior Gehry built. This makes the space an extension of building interior, but one that is experienced less visually and by way of a perceived promenade. Deliberate pathways and grading also make navigation of the site interesting. Walkways can raise and become seating, and although subtle, it really is a refreshing change to the monotonous flat landscape that in habits almost all of Miami. One such occurrence falls midway on the sound scape speaker structures, which one can surmise might be the optimal seating.

The most successful aspect of the NWS compound as a whole is that the projects exist with one another, completely symbiotic. They offer a variety of ways to make the arts truly accessible to those whom may not have the means, or maybe where not interested, but stumbled across the park and where taken by the music. This makes the building not only a learning institution for the fellows within but as a real public service, learning tool and asset to the entire city.

Areal view of the compound.

Path within the sound scape that is also seating.

The projector behind the audience, also one of the many free form objects that form the landscape

The wall that is used to project the video, vantage point is in the center of the sound scape