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Functionality / Audio Landmarks / Audio Labyrinth / Audio Maze / Green Energy / Construction Sound Labyrinth is a series of self contained solar powered tubular installations that play natural harmonic tubular bells when anyone moves nearby. At night, in addition to the sound effects, the tubes light up from inside providing a soothing subdued color display as well.
Walk along a path or stroll through a garden and you may not notice the subdued pillars scattered along the way but as you approach each one they will suddenly sound a low sonorous tone like the sounding of a bell. At night when they ring, they will also light up from within as though with a beam of neon light. Sound Labyrinth embodies minimalist design with a Zen-like simplicity but with a modern twist. Each group is tuned to a common pentatonic scale so that when several people wander the path and all the pillars chime then each person will hear different harmonic cords depending on their location within the landscape. As you move through the landscape the sound will change slightly so that the landscape is mirrored with a corresponding audio soundscape. This is especially pleasant for the visually impaired who can appreciate a changing audio soundscape where a visual landscape is no longer available. 
Studies show that our ability to navigate our environment is largely dependent on our knowledge and recognition of landmarks.1 For sighted people the landmarks we use are all visual. We know where we are because we recognize our personal 'landmarks' such as the corner store, the office tower, the city park, the mountain in the distance, the river, lake or coastline. However, for the blind and vision impaired orientation and navigation using visual landmarks is impossible. Sound Labyrinth creates what could be termed audio landmarks that could be almost as reliable as visual landmarks. By placing the Sound Labyrinth tubes in strategic places along a path or garden, you can create an auditory map by which blind can navigate and know their position along the trail or in the garden. 1 Gibson, J. J. 1979. The ecological approach to visual perception, Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Sound Labyrinth can be used in an existing labyrinth to add a musical and lighting experience. A single person walking the route would trigger a series of soothing tones as they progress through the labyrinth. If multiple persons walk the route they would trigger multiple tones and cords in an ever changing but always harmonic patterns.
Through the use of external sensors, Sound Labyrinth can be used to create an invisible audio maze that can be navigated by sight by night or sound by day.
The installation is also ecologically friendly relying on renewable solar energy to operate. All moving and electronic components are contained in one weatherproof unit at the top and can be easily removed for servicing and repair. This allows the Sound Labyrinth to be placed virtually anywhere without the need to run power cables.
Sound Labyrinth is constructed from stainless steel tubing that is powder coated and weather proof suitable for year round outdoor display and resistant to vandalism.
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All artwork and images by S.H.Verstappen, All Rights reserved 2003.