Resonance in Pottery: Acoustic Clay Vases
Description:
Recent archaeological discoveries reveal a long-established practice of utilizing clay vases as acoustic absorbers. The resonant qualities of these vases are determined by geometrical characteristics, which determines the type of frequency absorbed. These resonant acoustic absorbers are formally called “Helmholtz resonators” and function through the science of vibrations where sound waves are pressured into cavities through air _ow. This installation displays prototype Helmholtz resonators designed by researchers at the Acoustic Research Group and Robotic Prototyping Lab. This research explores and digitally defines the geometry of acoustic vases by linking it to simulation performance and robotic fabrication. The vases presented in this exhibit are in part a proof-of-concept for new vase variants from a larger body of ongoing research investigating the unique history and performance of acoustic vases and translating this knowledge into practical geometry to be employed in contemporary architectural practice through modelling, simulation, and robotic fabrication.
This work introduces robotic clay extrusion as a method of acoustic vase mass customization, where a key challenge is not just designing specific vase geometry, but also the incorporation of fabrication constraints that govern the overall acoustic treatments for the built environment. Presented in this display are prototype variants that illustrate an inverted neck design for a compact Helmholtz resonator concept. This inverted neck approach is a challenging and complex geometric structure for both acoustic performance simulation and robotic clay fabrication as the geometry had to be extruded upside down in contrast to a regular neck design. Additionally, the enclosure proportions were mathematically refined to ensure structural stability during the drying process through the implementation of a rotational stepping method on the inside and a spiral pattern on the outside. There are three different sizes of inverted neck vases samples on this horizontal display, each tuned to absorb specific frequencies with the smallest tuned to absorb at 325Hz, the medium at 167Hz, and largest at 131Hz.
Client: The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery
Funding: National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
Location: 25 Caroline St N, Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y5
Lead Collaborators: Nicholas Hoban, Brady Peters
Collaborators: Nermine Hassanin, Elham Khatei, Ross Cocks, Yuuko Kosame Li-Han, Pablo Espinal Henao, Robin Yu Bin He, Paul Kozak, Rahul Sehijpaul, Liam Cassano
Photographs: 6ix Films