Solo Site Investigations

The Oculus

The first thing I noticed once entering this space was silence. I entered at one of the balconies that everyone takes pictures at. I tried to understand how a place full of commuters and tourists could be so quiet. I  considered the shear scale of the building and its triangular form could be playing a role with how sound  travels in the space. it could also be that the shear scale and design of this unique building inspires contemplation and observation from its visitors. Or it was the fact there this was a train station and thousands of commuters are just trying to get to one place and not stopping for conversation. it seems like these all could be reasons for the silence and stillness that I experienced. Once I descended several escalators to get to the bottom floor I was introduced to the sounds of soft conversations all around me, especially around the cloud seats. Occasionally there would be a mother yelling at her child or someone talking on their phone loudly. Sound stayed on the floor of the oculus like how heat rises and cold falls the sound was cold.