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Sound Flower Baffles Sound

February 16, 2005

by David B. South

sound flower

A Sound Flower can absorb unwanted sound in a Monolithic Dome. Sound Flowers are available in a variety of materials, colors and patterns.
This patriotic Sound Flower has baffles in two sizes: 4'x16' for the larger, red, white and blue circle; 2'x8' for the smaller, blue and white circle.

Leland (Lee) A. Gray, co-owner of LPDJ Architects, LLC of Bountiful, Utah, has designed what he calls a Sound Flower. Consisting of sound-absorbing, sound-reflecting baffles that can be arranged in various patterns, a Sound Flower can be suspended, at a Monolithic Dome's center, two to three feet below its ceiling. There it gracefully hangs, allowing air to pass over it, without disturbing the thermal battery, while it absorbs unwanted side-to-side sound.

A Monolithic Dome is a high performance structure with no corners for sound to travel to and reverberate in. The dome does, however, have a center where sound does focus itself. But that's a good thing. At the dome's center, sound can be more easily dealt with, and proper acoustic treatment will generally eliminate it.

The Sound Flower is one such treatment. It consists of sound-absorbing baffles, available in various materials, colors and sizes. Materials range from light plastics to substantially thicker, quilted fabrics that may or may not be covered with vinyl. Colors include white, beige, gray, brown, black and a virtual rainbow of bright hues. As for size, the baffles come in widths of two feet and four feet and lengths of up to 25 feet.

Sound Flower installation begins by drawing a circle onto the Monolithic Dome's ceiling that becomes the pattern in which the baffles are hung. One end of each baffle is then attached two to three feet below the ceiling. The other ends are gathered into the Sound Flower's center.

Other Benefits

  • The Sound Flower curves opposite the Monolithic Dome's curve. Consequently, some sound reflects back to the dome, but most is absorbed.
  • The acoustical material does double duty because baffles absorb sound on both of their sides.
  • Depending on their fabric, baffles can be painted, silk-screened, embroidered, enhanced with a school banner or team logo or just left as is.
  • Baffles can be equipped with grommets that allow them to be arranged in many patterns.
  • Baffles can also be taken down and cleaned.
  • The Sound Flower can be built of fire-safe materials designed specifically for sound attenuation.
  • The Sound Flower is tough. In all probability, thrown balls, shoes and most other objects will not hurt it.

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