Acoustic Mirrors

This interdisciplinary project bridges digital fabrication and physics to create a large scale scientific demonstrator. Two 2 meter monolithic concave acoustic mirrors have been installed allowing people to communicate over a large distance. This physical effect, which requires precisely designed geometry and manufactured surfaces can also be found in the historic architecture of whispering galleries.

The highly ornate design of the mirrors was generated using a custom design software which integrates the acoustic, structural and fabrication parameters. The resulting mirror were 3D printed using binder-jet 3D printing of sandstone to sub-millimetre precision.

The project was a collaboration between ETH Zurich Departments of Architecture (D-ARCH) and Physics (D-Phys) and the research of NCCR Digital Fabrication and NCCR Quantum Science and Technology.

More information at:

• Acoustic Mirrors - Digital Building Technologies

Photo: Heidi Hostettler (D-PHYS), Digital Building Technologies