a 360° surround system borders imaginary objects’ enfold pavilion in thailand

courtyard-inspired enfold pavilion welcomes ambient sounds

Enfold is a pavilion for ambient sounds at Wonderfruit, Thailand‘s largest music and lifestyle festival. Designed by architecture studio Imaginary Objects, the structure emerges as a calming refuge away from the festival’s bustle, offering a space for contemplation, relaxation, and reconnection with sounds and the environment. From the outset, the architects chose the courtyard as a typology —a walled space that isolates from the surroundings and focuses attention on the performance within. This square courtyard is accessible through small openings on each side. A covered walkway with speakers mounted in a surrounding layout runs along the perimeter. At the same time, the central listening area opens to the sky, allowing audiences to sit and experience a focused listening environment and gaze upward to the vast expanse above.

imaginary objects wraps 360° sound in mud-cement and bamboo

The Enfold Pavilion by Imaginary Objects (see more here) features a unique 360-degree immersive sound system. Developing the concept required optimally setting up over 20 surround speakers, which determined the courtyard’s dimensions: a 15×15-meter square. Beyond the sound system, Enfold prioritizes using natural materials and ancient building techniques to construct the walls, wattle, and daub, where a mud cement mix is applied onto a thin lattice to dry. The roof structure, meanwhile, comprises bamboo and supports thin plastic sheets to provide rain shelter for the audio-visual equipment while keeping the view of the sky as open as possible.

For a truly unique and relaxing experience at the Wonderfruit festival, the architects have provided mats and pillows instead of seats, inviting the audience to lie on the ground, often spending extended periods immersing themselves in the sonic experience and taking a break from the festival’s excitement. Last but not least, wicker lamps along the perimeter of the Enfold Pavilion subtly contrast the dimly lit boundary with the dark center, drawing focus to the starry sky above.

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