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Photo: H+S+N Landscape Architects via Smithsonian
After many years of complaints, Amsterdam has found a solution to its runway noise that was affecting many neighborhoods up to 18 miles away. The clever designed park adjacent to the airport was crafted to deflect the sound as it travels outward. It had been discovered that this type of design might work after observing that there had been seasonal improvements in the noise levels when the fields were plowed in furrows. Taking this model into consideration, the architect decided to make the fix an artistic piece as well, by also modeling after 17th century Chladni patterns. (Ernst Chladni was a German physicist and a musician who is sometimes referred to the "father of acoustics.")
When the Buitenschot Land Art Park was finished in October 2013, it cut down the decibel levels of the airplane noise in half almost immediately. It's always great when we can find solutions that serve in multiple ways. The bonus of its artistic nature adds to the enjoyment by the locals as they play in the park. This model is now being considered in many other places around the world where noise pollution is a problem. Read more...
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