It is the ellipse, with its focal points, that has been used for the sound installation in the Communication Garden—focal points in acoustics can allow someone to speak softly from one point and be heard clearly at a distance from the other. Moreover, to focus the sound waves not only in a plane but also in three-dimensional space, the effect is maximized by transforming the ellipse into an ellipsoid.

Thus, at the corner of Oles Gonchar and Bohdan Khmelnytsky streets, standing 12 meters apart at the focal points and speaking toward the nearest part of the installation, people can hear each other much better than the surrounding city noise. A temporary prototype of the installation has been set up, demonstrating the desired effect, and it will be replaced with permanent acoustic surfaces made from durable street materials.Consequently, the location that previously housed a communist monument, with a configuration resembling an ellipse, suggested a solution—to create a cozy space for people to communicate. You can also hear the sounds of passing pedestrians or the chirping of a bird flying by.As for the other improvements made to the Communication Garden that have already taken place: minimal changes to the configuration of the green space and hard surfaces (while preserving existing trees and adding more) have been implemented to achieve smoother pathways and greater comfort in the resting areas, an increase in the number of benches for seating, and the planting of perennial plants to enhance biodiversity.

How to Interact with the Acoustic Installation

1. Come: in Pairs (at least)
2. Positioning: One person stands on one side, and the other on the opposite focal point of the ellipsoid (marked in yellow on the pavement). Face the nearest acoustic surface.
3. Speak Towards the Surface: Say something toward the surface—this way, you will interact with it and simultaneously communicate with your partner at the other end of the installation.
4. Clear Communication: You and your partner at the opposite focal point should be able to hear each other clearly, even if you're not speaking loudly. The magic is happening!
5. Spread the Word: Tell your friends so they can experience it themselves. Share your experiences with the hashtag #conversation_garden_kyiv.

‍

LOCATION: Olesya Honchara st. 74-A, Kyiv, Ukraine

‍AREA: ~1800 m2

‍DATE: 2023

‍PROGRAMME: public space

‍STATUS: build

‍

ARCHITECTURE: Aranchii Architects

‍DESIGN: Dmytro Aranchii

‍TEAM: Dmytro Aranchii, Mariia Drobenko, Kateryna Natalchuk, Vladyslav Tsykal, Bohdan Hadzhylov, Oleksandr Polikrovskyi

‍

The Village Ukraine, BZH, Hmarochos

‍