SoundScape Analysis, Fabio Segre

The New Home for The New World Symphony located in the heart of Miami Beach and designed by Frank Gehry, together with the adjacent park design by West 8 provides a new perspective of engagement between buildings, park and city. A relationship that defines the building as a closed container in direct opposition to the park; which defines all the elements of dynamics and static movement within its confines.(Photo#1)

Park and Building Relationship-Photo# 1

The park functionality as a public space morphs and mirrors the activity that takes tries to contain. During the day the park works as a transitory space in the city, interconnecting all of the adjacent streets. The design of the pedestrian circulation is related with the interior of the theater as a mirrored relationship, but the main feature, which links the structure with the park, is the projection that happens in the NWS main facade. It suddenly transforms the 7,000 square-foot blank wall into a window inside the theater, revealing the performance happening in its interior; technology, as linking of program.(Photo#2)

 WallCast Mystique Projection-Photo#2

 Consequently the function of the park shifts from an active transitory area to a static voyeuristic area, independent from the park’s architecture and landscape. It invites an organic distribution pattern of participants that seat freely, making use of the irregular green areas left while circulation paths are lay inactive. Chairs, blankets, groups and couples create a very noticeable boundary between private and public space relationships. (Photo#3 )

Noticable boundary between private and public  Photo#3   

Private Space -Photo#4

Extension of people's living room -Photo#5

The park becomes an extension of people’s living room’s, creating a virtual extension of private space into public space.(photo 4 &5) The enormous lot becomes a projection of two distant and separate points that reconvene here to share culture. It is possible to see complete families from different generations enjoying each other company and enjoying the same play or movie, creating a new perspective for youngsters to experience Miami and its vibrant social life.

In contrast, the areas around this main space define a more private and detached area where the show happening on the screen falls in the hierarchy of events, taking a secondary role, a pretense where groups of young people get together to socialize(Photo 6 & 7)

Outside Social Ring -Photo 6

 During the WallCast event the energy of the city is fragmented and in its changes the relationship with the city’s inhabitants. People walking in Lincoln Road, the adjacent street mall, get sidetracked and almost “funneled” into the park. Circulation traffic slows around the park creating on more node of events. The synergy is so obvious, present and felt that even official vehicles such as Police and Fire Rescues turn off the sirens of their vehicles. It creates a perfect atmosphere between the public space and the rest of the city

Outside Social Ring -Photo 6

     

SoundScape Arrival Time line.

Main Seating Area

Relationship Park Vs Building

Park View from New World Symphony Roof Top