Timbre developed, designed, and built the Jet Sound Bath for a backyard sonic retreat. The project eclipses the performance of a room with better sound isolation; this structure also absorbs the sounds of the surrounding environment for selective diffusion in the interior.

Exterior walls are clad with ABS plastic pallets recycled after use in the shipping industry. The structure is designed with modularity in mind, making efficient use of 4x8 wood products and acrylic sheets and minimizing waste.

The four interior walls of the Sound Bath are configured as independent sound channels. Transducers hidden behind the acrylic surfaces send vibrations through the walls and floor, diffusing sound in the room in a manner that emulates the natural way that sound propagates in spaces.

Location: Alameda, CA
Year Built: 2019
Project Team
Architect and Builder: Nicolas Sowers
Special thanks to Joël and Corrie Franusic for installation assistance and donating the temporary site.