Soundscapes of Orion Mall

Concept Note

Through this soundscape, I explored how the Orion Mall lake at Bengaluru is not just a body of water, but a living, breathing part of the urban fabric. On a purely visual level, the lake might appear tranquil, but what I discovered is that its true character is revealed through its sounds. I documented the lake's rich acoustic environment: gushing water and fountains, people talking and ordering food from lakeside cafés, coffee cup clinks, background music, traffic horns, camera clicks, and singing. These sounds range from high to low intensity, mapping the full spectrum of activity around the lake.

This project argues that these sounds, far from being just background noise, are what truly make this lake important. They represent its function as a central hub - a place where people live (the residential buildings), work (the IT park), shop (the mall), and simply exist. By mapping these layers, I realized that the lake's value lies not just in its ecosystem, but in its role as a communal space. It serves as a reminder that to truly protect a natural space, we must first understand what makes it matter to people. And sometimes, the most profound answer can be found by simply listening.

This project was a part of the Open Elective 2023 "Water Matters" at NID Bengaluru, guided by Gautam Ratna Kumar Saridi.