Sonoro Public Sound Furniture

Sonoro Public Sound Furniture

Sonoro Public sound furniture is an innovative percussion-based public installation that reimagines traditional urban furniture through the integration of musical elements, specifically designed for the hillside communities of Medellin, Colombia. This social design project, which earned recognition with an Iron A' Design Award in the Social Design category, consists of a metallic structure incorporating two timbales, a hang drum, and two drumsticks, creating an interactive sound installation that measures 994 mm x 467 mm x 1000 mm and weighs 40 kilograms. The design emerged from a thorough analysis of community needs in neighborhoods adjacent to Jardin Circunvalar, addressing the limited recreational spaces while celebrating the area's rich cultural diversity, particularly influenced by Pacific region traditions. The furniture's construction emphasizes durability and acoustic quality, featuring a resonant metallic framework complemented by drumsticks with metal handles and artificial polymer contact surfaces. This interactive installation transforms public spaces into venues for cultural expression and social cohesion, enabling various users including residents, tourists, and students to engage in musical experimentation and community building. The design's significance extends beyond its physical form, serving as a catalyst for social inclusion and cultural preservation while demonstrating how thoughtful urban furniture can enhance public spaces through multisensory engagement. The project, completed in 2015, represents a successful integration of industrial design principles with social impact objectives, creating a sustainable platform for community interaction and artistic expression in urban environments.

public furniture design, percussion instrument, social inclusion, urban installation, interactive sound, cultural expression

— Adam Dawson