The wav.field installation is a way to punctuate the busy flow of Market street with a moment of repose and reflection, through a gently-screened voluminous space where detailed 3-dimensional soundscapes offer a shared experience.

In the flow of Market street- we seek opportunity to take pause. We propose to do this with the wav.field installation as a way to punctuate the busy street with a moment of repose/reflection, by offering an opportunity to sit in a semi-removed environment with its own carefully detailed soundscape. This moment on Market is part of a bigger exploration of the potential of shifting San Francisco streetscape towards an organically communal/gathering setting that creates moments for pause and reflection without disrupting flow. (i.e. rather than just a sidewalk where people are there to get to the next place and ignore each other)

Pragmatically the intervention is a lightweight cubic-volume screen, composed of inexpensive yet ably beautiful materials, such as chain-link fence and galvanized steel rods. This screened space still allows for connection with the surroundings, yet is gently apart enough to give space for shared solace along the active street. Within the shape, 6 weatherproof speakers are arranged in the upper corners and along bottom walls, to create an immersive field of 3-dimensional sound. This is to be the framework for a soundscape, offering a meditative experience or simply a moment of relaxation in the city.

In terms of the sound arrangements, pre-programmed soundscape-designs can rotate through; but this framework also provides the opportunity for local musicians and sound artists (amateurs and learning high school students as well) to submit their own work to be featured here as well. We see this as an exciting opportunity for the community to actually own the space. Imagine: local youth choirs getting to bring their friends and parents to listen to them, or local DJ’s getting to showcase their latest work for the community. Within the space there is also small steel stools that offer a place to sit, where we hope people would be able to enjoy this volume of sound that has appeared on Market street.

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