To design an outdoor sonic interface that could survive the weather, visitor and wildlife interactions, function in isolation, require no maintenance, be an aesthetically considered object and contribute as an element to the project informed the idea for and design of the resulting Sky gazers.

A continuously developing research process undertaken by Matthews and developed through discussion with McIntosh, the Forestry Commission and time spent in the forest, there were three significant stages reached along the way that are outlined below.

1. Sonic Bath

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Silent Hole for Gazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McIntosh testing the idea that lying in the ground produces silence. (In Forestry Commission tree planting trench in the beside Black Loch).

3.  Silent Chair for gazing