The Coco Cola Beatbox has been one of the most talked about attractions during the 2012 Olympics. Designed by London based architects Asif Khan and Pernilla Ohrstedt, the Coco Cola Beatbox is an experimental fusion of architecture, sport, music and technology that creates a stunning multi-sensory experience. The visionary pavilion has been inspired by Coca-Cola’s global campaign for London 2012 – Move to the BeatTM – that aims to connect young people to the Games by bringing together their passions for music and sport.
The structure is made up of over 200 interlocked translucent air cushions which have an in built audio, lighting and sensor technology. Whenever a visitor touches one of these air cushions, it creates different pre recorded sounds. The sound samples, including a human heartbeat and trainers squeaking on a court, are taken from the Olympic song ‘Anywhere in the World’ recorded by British producer Mark Ronson.
“The Coca-Cola Beatbox is our largest commission so far and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase our distinctive brand of architectural design at London 2012. We have created a structure that fuses architecture, music, sport and technology in a completely unique way. The beat will draw people in and allow them to personally experience sports through sound away from the main Games venues. Coca-Cola has really allowed us to push the boundaries and we’re looking forward to unveiling the pavilion to the world when London 2012 opens its doors next week.
Within the Coca-Cola Beatbox pavilion visitors will discover Jason Bruges Studio’s Aerial Dynamics installation. A living, breathing light show that has been designed to emulate the energy released when a bottle of Coca-Cola is served and shared. 180 bespoke mechatronic ‘bubbles’ glow rhythmically in time with Mark Ronson’s track. Controlled with individual code, each bubble has eight polypropylene blades that fold in on themselves. Special sensors embedded in the three ‘cheers in celebration’ kiosks at the base of the Beatbox detect when Coca-Cola bottles are clinked together, triggering the blades and bubbles to glow with red and white LED lighting. These light patterns become increasingly intricate as the number of participants grow.” – says Architects Asif Khan and Pernilla Ohrstedt
“Our installation captures the celebratory aura that surrounds the Games and is itself a living, visual, dynamic performance. We worked closely with students Coca-Cola chose from the Royal College of Art who helped create the final design through a series of design workshops. A unique mix of architects, lighting designers, industrial designers, programmers and engineers have all collaborated to bring this extraordinary installation to life.” – says Jason Bruges, Creative Director at Jason Bruges Studio
+ Asif Khan and Pernilla Ohrstedt