An aerial view of five different colored horn structures in a plaza.

Sonic Playground at the High Museum of Art

Engaging people of all ages in audible play.

Skip to Credits

Sonic Playground was a temporary outdoor installation at the High Museum of Art designed by sound artist Yuri Suzuki.

Installed on the museum’s Sifly Piazza, the exhibit featured a series of colorful sculptural horns that capture, transmit, and transform sound, encouraging visitors of all ages to explore how sound travels and behaves.

Charcoalblue worked with Yuri Suzuki Design Studio to provide acoustic consultancy and project coordination, ensuring the sculptures performed effectively while remaining faithful to the artist’s vision.

The installation marked the museum’s first exploration of “audible play”, inviting visitors to interact with sound as both a scientific phenomenon and a creative medium.

Children hang on the orange sound sculpture and speak into its horns.

Photo by Michael McKelvey

The Client’s Vision

The High Museum of Art wanted to activate its outdoor piazza with an installation that would:

Encourage participatory experiences for visitors of all ages

Introduce the concept of audible play—exploring how sound can be shaped and experienced

Create a vibrant social space for community gathering and recreation

Support performances, workshops, and collaborative activities with local arts organizations

The installation formed part of the museum’s multiyear initiative to animate its outdoor public spaces with participatory art commissions.

Key Challenges

Designing sculptures that perform acoustically

The sculptural horns needed to transmit sound clearly from one end to the other, particularly within speech frequency ranges, while maintaining the visual language of the artist’s concept.

Translating sculptural forms into buildable structures

Initial designs used mathematically pure forms with double curvature. These shapes had to be adapted so they could be fabricated using flat metal sheets without compromising acoustic performance.

Maintaining acoustic quality in an outdoor environment

Because the installation was located on an open public piazza, the sculptures had to function effectively despite background noise and environmental conditions.

Key Challenges

Designing sculptures that perform acoustically

The sculptural horns needed to transmit sound clearly from one end to the other, particularly within speech frequency ranges, while maintaining the visual language of the artist’s concept.

Translating sculptural forms into buildable structures

Initial designs used mathematically pure forms with double curvature. These shapes had to be adapted so they could be fabricated using flat metal sheets without compromising acoustic performance.

Maintaining acoustic quality in an outdoor environment

Because the installation was located on an open public piazza, the sculptures had to function effectively despite background noise and environmental conditions.

Charcoalblue’s Approach

Acoustic Design Analysis

Charcoalblue analysed the proposed sculptures to ensure the horns would capture and transmit sound effectively.

  • Calculated pipe dimensions to maximise sound transmission
  • Optimised the geometry of the horns for speech intelligibility
  • Tested faceted versions of the forms to preserve acoustic performance while enabling fabrication

This work ensured the sculptures functioned both as playful art objects and working acoustic devices.

Charcoalblue’s Approach

Acoustic Design Analysis

Charcoalblue analysed the proposed sculptures to ensure the horns would capture and transmit sound effectively.

  • Calculated pipe dimensions to maximise sound transmission
  • Optimised the geometry of the horns for speech intelligibility
  • Tested faceted versions of the forms to preserve acoustic performance while enabling fabrication

This work ensured the sculptures functioned both as playful art objects and working acoustic devices.

Supporting Fabrication

To bring the installation to life, Charcoalblue:

  • Supervised the fabricator bid process
  • Supported Yuri Suzuki Design Studio in appointing the art fabricator Gizmo, based in San Francisco
  • Helped coordinate the design, fabrication, and installation process

The team worked closely with the museum, the artist, and the fabricators to ensure the sculptures performed exactly as intended.

Supporting Fabrication

To bring the installation to life, Charcoalblue:

  • Supervised the fabricator bid process
  • Supported Yuri Suzuki Design Studio in appointing the art fabricator Gizmo, based in San Francisco
  • Helped coordinate the design, fabrication, and installation process

The team worked closely with the museum, the artist, and the fabricators to ensure the sculptures performed exactly as intended.

Installation Coordination

Charcoalblue also managed coordination between:

  • Yuri Suzuki Design Studio
  • Gizmo (fabricator)
  • the High Museum of Art

This ensured the sculptures were accurately fabricated, installed safely, and delivered on schedule.

Installation Coordination

Charcoalblue also managed coordination between:

  • Yuri Suzuki Design Studio
  • Gizmo (fabricator)
  • the High Museum of Art

This ensured the sculptures were accurately fabricated, installed safely, and delivered on schedule.

Results & Impact

Sonic Playground transformed the museum’s piazza into an interactive environment where visitors could experience sound physically and socially.

The installation:

Invited children and adults to experiment with sound transmission

Encouraged spontaneous play and interaction between visitors

Created a lively public gathering space for performances and art activities

Demonstrated how acoustic design can support creative public installations

The project successfully introduced the concept of audible play to audiences at the High Museum of Art.

Outcome

Sonic Playground became a highlight of the museum’s outdoor programming, illustrating how sound design, sculpture, and public participation can combine to create memorable cultural experiences.

Charcoalblue’s acoustic expertise helped ensure the installation was not only visually engaging but also functioned as an effective and playful sound environment, allowing visitors to discover how sound can be shaped, transmitted, and shared.

Small children play around a large orange sound sculpture.
YSDS sound sculpture. Image by Michael McKelvey.
Project Details
Client High Museum of Art
Location Atlanta, GA, USA
Year 2018
Project Consultants Yuri Suzuki, Designer / Artist
Services
Sector

Meet the Charcoalblue Project Team

Headshot Headshot
New York, USA
Bruno Cardenas
Director
Headshot Headshot
London, UK
Gavin Green
Senior Partner
Headshot Headshot
London, UK
Luca Dellatorre
Director
Jerad Schomer
Former Director

Explore more projects like this:

Render courtesy of Mecanoo Architects and Marvel.
Doris Duke Theatre, Jacob’s Pillow

Becket, MA, USA

Performing Arts & Music
Rendering of a high rise building with glowing "Olympia Theatre" sign. A massive staircase separates two buildings.
Olympia

London, UK

Cultural, Civic & Public Performing Arts & Music
Exterior of the Pod sitting in a plaza by day.
The Pod

London, UK

Cultural, Civic & Public Media & Technology Performing Arts & Music
View Portfolio