Winners profiles 2024
Efterklang is a team of engineers, designers and technical experts that has been doing award-winning work since 1956. They create sound environments and address vibration issues across all scales and sectors. The team approaches this task with both heart and mind, to ‘tune the world’ by designing spaces where unwanted sound is minimised, allowing desirable sounds to be heard.
Interview with Efterklang, part of AFRY
Red Dot: You handled the sound design and soundscaping for a park and playground in Helsingborg. What were your ideas?
Efterklang, part of AFRY: Our primary goal was to design a soundscape that enhances the playground’s jungle theme and reduces noise from the nearby harbour. The playground features a visual and audio design that transports you from the busy city into a jungle setting. We reduced the background noise from the harbour with a noise barrier designed to look like shipping containers. Moreover, a 12-channel speaker system plays sounds from various directions, creating an immersive and interactive auditory environment.
The playground has a jungle theme. How do you create a convincing jungle soundscape?
To create a jungle effect, you need a rich soundscape with animal calls, rustling leaves and water sounds. We achieved this by strategically placing speakers at various locations. This multilayered acoustic environment, combined with interactive elements like animal fact recordings and an animatronic gorilla, brings the jungle to life and creates a realistic and captivating experience.
Are there any special requirements to consider when creating an acoustic environment for children, and how did you take these into account?
Children need engaging and clear sounds that aren’t overwhelming. We achieved that with an interactive soundscape that is both educational and fun. The sounds aren’t constant; they are triggered by interaction, so they capture the children’s attention without overstimulating their senses. The variety of sounds also caters to different interests, keeping the children engaged and curious.
What role would you like sound expertise to play in the urban planning context?
We want sound to be integral to urban planning and recognised as an essential element in creating enjoyable and sustainable environments. By incorporating sound design early in the planning process, we can create spaces that not only look appealing but also sound inviting and engaging, thus enhancing the overall experience and promoting well-being.