Speaker
Description
Stagger is an experimental acoustic surface that proposes to expand the role of furniture in architecture. Vintage Haworth stackable chairs from the 1990s, which were designed to have minimal footprint when not in use, were repurposed to intentionally clad a wall in an acoustically beneficial and visually engaging arrangement. The chairs retain their original purpose, and are removed from the wall and used for events as needed.Such an arrangement can readily be classified as acoustic diffusion, a function which was studied using FDTD simulation techniques. Although comprised entirely of hard plastic and steel, the installation was also tested for absorption per ISO 354 at Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories as part of their Novelty Testing Program, which supports testing of everyday objects and surfaces. The results show mild broadband acoustic absorption, providing further evidence for the potential benefits of intentional acoustic design in furniture systems.