float
occupying an existing structure
with exploratory sound environments
float is an investigation into
combining spatial design with
sound engineering in an existing
industrial building in Oslo,
repurposed as a cultural venue
for raves and other electronic
music events.
float is located in Oslo at
bispegata 16 in the medieval park.
The site is almost like a residual space in-between train tracks, city development and waterfront.
As of today, the site is zoned a special conservation area´, recreational area´, public building, and business and commercial.
The project proposes rezoning the site into one zone which combines culture and heritage; public cultural building and recreational area.
The existing building is a
neo-gothical building that used to be a locomotive workshop from 1893 until 1970´s. It was built by architect Oxaal, hired by the railroad to do those kinds of buildings. This building was part of a larger infrastructure of
similar industrial buildings until the 60´s. Today it is the last of the workshop halls.
The surface area is 4200 square meters and consists of 5 large main halls oriented in the east west axis, and 2 smaller halls oriented in the north south axis. The roof trusses span between 9 and 12 meters and
rest on cast iron columns.The building has one clear
identity, however due to changes, substractions and additions, each hall has its own personality.
bispegata 16 in the medieval park.
The site is almost like a residual space in-between train tracks, city development and waterfront.
As of today, the site is zoned a special conservation area´, recreational area´, public building, and business and commercial.
The project proposes rezoning the site into one zone which combines culture and heritage; public cultural building and recreational area.
The existing building is a
neo-gothical building that used to be a locomotive workshop from 1893 until 1970´s. It was built by architect Oxaal, hired by the railroad to do those kinds of buildings. This building was part of a larger infrastructure of
similar industrial buildings until the 60´s. Today it is the last of the workshop halls.
The surface area is 4200 square meters and consists of 5 large main halls oriented in the east west axis, and 2 smaller halls oriented in the north south axis. The roof trusses span between 9 and 12 meters and
rest on cast iron columns.The building has one clear
identity, however due to changes, substractions and additions, each hall has its own personality.
float consists of 3main sound enviornments:
jungle Red, surround Blue, and blend Yellow.
Each has a different sound system and each
consists of the necessary amenities of dance
floor, a hidden artist booth, bars, hang out
areas and bathrooms. On the east there is
also a record shop.
The spatial configuration of float allows a
fluid circulation. It creates a continuous
experience that varies in intensities. As the
title suggests, it is about the feeling of
floating through space. The existing
infrastructure contrasts, complements and
sustains the newly constructed physical
elements; they are in constant dialogue.
The spaces of float are related by the
presence of sound but differently articulated
by the architecture. Wandering through float
is a visual, auditory and bodily experience.
float can function as one whole where all
the sound environments are in use. A forth
sound environment emerges when the record
shop is active. The use of spaces in
different configurations create various
rhythms.
Each sound environment is attributed a
specific sound system. The sound system
configuration is chosen based on the
desired sound experience and on the
architectural layout. Each sound system
allows you to be immmersed in the content
that you essentially forget that you are
listening to speakers.
jungle Red has a 4point sound system
placed at 3axes in space. This kind of
configuration offers a fully immersive
experience, where at any point on the
dance floor the sound can be heard and
experienced the same way. Another set
of speakers are placed inside jungle red´s
hangout area. Those function at lower
volume and also have the attribute of
cancelling out the louder sound coming
from the dance floor.
surround Blue has a 6point sound system
placed at 6points in a circular array.
All sources project towards the center of
the dance floor. This means that the sound
is heard differently at different points
and has a complete surround envelope when
standing in the center of the dance floor.
blend Yellow has a stereo sound system
placed at the threshhold of inside and
outside. Here the projected soundscape
connects the interior and the exterior.
Additionally, it extends inwards into
the existing infrastructure and outwards
to the natural landscape.
The map of sound propagation uses colors
to distinguish the 3 sound environments.
The colors were chosen based on their
physiological aspects. According to
Kandinsky´s color dynamic model the
color blue has a concentric motion, it
pulls you in. Yellow has an eccentric
motion, it radiates towards the spectator,
and red moves within itself.
surround Blue
The experiential concept of
surround Blue is centripetal.
surround Blue is centripetal.
The dance floor has an overpowering atmosphere, you can feel the material presence of the sound, as if you
were enveloped by a substance.
Surround Blue is a solitary experience where sound is the main partner. It is as close as ever, it is touching, penetrating, surrounding you.
The architecture is deeply engaging. It appears edgeless.
The heart of surround Blue beats from the center and spreads radially through openings, and in-between double walls.
The layered composition of
the space creates different degrees of intensities and functions.
Seing glimpses of jungle Red is part of the experience.
At night the activity of surround blue is identified by its color and light that shines through its openings and paints the “other” surfaces. You orient yourself according to the shining of colors.
In day time blurred lines and pixelated vision become sharp. The existing infrastructure manifests itsel.
were enveloped by a substance.
Surround Blue is a solitary experience where sound is the main partner. It is as close as ever, it is touching, penetrating, surrounding you.
The architecture is deeply engaging. It appears edgeless.
The heart of surround Blue beats from the center and spreads radially through openings, and in-between double walls.
The layered composition of
the space creates different degrees of intensities and functions.
Seing glimpses of jungle Red is part of the experience.
At night the activity of surround blue is identified by its color and light that shines through its openings and paints the “other” surfaces. You orient yourself according to the shining of colors.
In day time blurred lines and pixelated vision become sharp. The existing infrastructure manifests itsel.
jungle Red
Jungle Red as the name suggests is a changing palette
of random encounters.
of random encounters.
blend Yellow
It is porous, curious, and inviting.
Jungle Red consists of 2 adjacent spaces. The dance floor uses the full 9m height of the hall while the hangout area plays with levels. It creates a narrow passage where you can walk through and get glimpses of bodies moving on the dance floor or bodies wandering around in the corridor.
You can sit, relax, and have a chat.
Ins and outs, ups and downs, this space is about discovery.
During the day the architecture guides the movement; surfaces that bend, openings that are carved into the walls.
At night light is the guiding element. The continuity of jungle Red´s flow leads you from different points into the dance floor. The journey is fluid, the sound is heard the same at any place on the dance floor. You are walking through a red mass of sound and people.
The large curved surfaces rotated in different directions create a disturbance of flow on the dance floor. They organically reorient the body and the vision. They are sound diffusers, light emitters, dividers, and attractor points in space. Their translucency plays with visual perception.
Jungle Red consists of 2 adjacent spaces. The dance floor uses the full 9m height of the hall while the hangout area plays with levels. It creates a narrow passage where you can walk through and get glimpses of bodies moving on the dance floor or bodies wandering around in the corridor.
You can sit, relax, and have a chat.
Ins and outs, ups and downs, this space is about discovery.
During the day the architecture guides the movement; surfaces that bend, openings that are carved into the walls.
At night light is the guiding element. The continuity of jungle Red´s flow leads you from different points into the dance floor. The journey is fluid, the sound is heard the same at any place on the dance floor. You are walking through a red mass of sound and people.
The large curved surfaces rotated in different directions create a disturbance of flow on the dance floor. They organically reorient the body and the vision. They are sound diffusers, light emitters, dividers, and attractor points in space. Their translucency plays with visual perception.
blend Yellow links interior and exterior environments.
Its character is open and social. A third environment, the inside outside emerges.
At night the light of blend yellow is magnetic. It pulls you towards the dance floor. It is loud and bright. It washes over the reflective surfaces creating a delicate gradient.
The light also reflects how the sound behaves. It projects in two directions getting softer with distance from the source.
During daytime, the perception of the space changes. The dance floor extends/bleeds out of its initial perimeter. The narrow hang out area creates a niche feeling in the vast hall through which the visually overpowering existing infrastructure can be enjoyed.
New atmospheres are created through the sound meeting the architecture. It is experienced with the entire body and confers a feeling of plenitude.
At night the light of blend yellow is magnetic. It pulls you towards the dance floor. It is loud and bright. It washes over the reflective surfaces creating a delicate gradient.
The light also reflects how the sound behaves. It projects in two directions getting softer with distance from the source.
During daytime, the perception of the space changes. The dance floor extends/bleeds out of its initial perimeter. The narrow hang out area creates a niche feeling in the vast hall through which the visually overpowering existing infrastructure can be enjoyed.
New atmospheres are created through the sound meeting the architecture. It is experienced with the entire body and confers a feeling of plenitude.
Sound environments change our behavior as individuals and influence the social structure of our groups. Whoever goes to float enters a liminal state of spontaneous bonding. Even though the experience is temporary in nature, it resonates over longer period of time.