Commissioned by City of Rockville, Maryland for its Swim and Fitness Center
The room had major acoustical problems, which led the City to specifically seek textile art for the space. I mitigated the problem through the use of painted acoustical baffles and heavily-textured (including pleats) fabric wall art. Graphic design and placement in the room incorporates an architectural wave element present in the lobby and hallway (pictured below), and inspired by aerial photography of Maryland.
Hydro-eclectic Power
- 2 sets of 5 art quilts: 28" W x 33" H, 40" W x 50" H
- Painted cotton duck fabric, pleated and quilted
- 10 acoustic baffles, 24" W x 48" H, masked and spray-painted
I had to add PVC sleeves on the top of the acoustic baffles after installation, when they started to bow. Scissors lift to the rescue!
Details
Hydro-eclectic Power detail
Floor wave pattern and squares
The hallway leading to the fitness rooms. The wave pattern and squares were part of my design.
Design maquette
A maquette showed all the elements of my art in the room (depicted with the dividing wall in place). It was fun to make - and a requirement of my proposal.
Painted panels
The small canvas panels, after painting, laid out on a carpeted floor
Side view
The quilt panels were installed with wood bars, creating spaces behind the quilts to soak up more sound
Completed project
It was quite a challenge to install (I’m pretty tired in this picture), and my first experience renting machinery to do so. Many thanks to my husband/assistant for driving the scissors truck.