Singing Ringing Tree by Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu of Tonkin Liu

<span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” class=”mce_SELRES_start”></span>The hilly landscape outside Burnley in Lancashire, England, has been adorned with a unique sculpture called “The Singing Ringing Tree”. The creation, erected in 2006, is designed by architects Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu of Tonkin Liu, who were inspired by wind organs. The pipes in the sculpture generate tones when stroked by the wind. Length, design and cooperation between the pipes affects the melodies you can hear when the wind blows over the rugged landscape.

In 2007 the creators won The National Award of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for architectural excellence. Read more here and here. Movie by jonathanbrind

Focus on sound

Planning the urban environment provides good opportunities to influence the soundscape. We can create conditions for a rich, varying and relevant audio environment, supporting the activities available. Traffic noise can be limited by, e.g., aesthetically pleasing shields, material selection, strategic planning and/or reduced speeds. Reduced noise in the city opens up for a more relevant and positive sound experience. Sounds can also be amplified, added or stimulated to strengthen a specific location.

Appealing to our senses

In sound sculptures, speakers or acoustic audio sources are mounted in, or connected to, statues, sculptures or artistically designed containers. The installations appeal to our different senses and bring variation to the soundscape (and to the landscape!). Those works, such as artificial trees, wind organs or imaginative fibreglass formations, are interesting alternatives to conventional ornaments in both urban and rural environments.

By using speakers, it is also possible to select and enhance natural components such as trees and rivers to bring out the character of a certain place.