Echoes of the Past: An Aeolian Memorial of the Thunder Cave

Abstract

Coco GONG's project explores the creation of a coastal aeolian memorial at Thunder Cave, Cape D’Aguilar, Hong Kong, aiming to preserve and celebrate the unique acoustic and morphological features of the cave. The concrete structure sits within a Geo gap formed by a collapsed sea cave, designed to endure for millennia, emulating the cave's natural soundscape through its interaction with wind, water, and pebbles. Inspired by resonating tubes and wind instruments, the design incorporates elements such as a dual channel to funnel wind, "fipples" akin to a recorder's mouthpiece, and a resonating chamber to amplify sound. The upper level remains unoccupied to ensure optimal airspeed and functionality, drawing on architectural concepts of "unoccupiable voids."The memorial serves as an intersection of natural and human history, designed for those who appreciate the symbiosis between landscape and soundscape.