3835 Campus Drive
Architecture Building (145 ARC)
College Park, MD 20742
United States
Chamber is a spherical capsule made predominantly of industrial felt. From without, it is a soft polyhedron of felt cells, evoking simultaneously the rigid geodesic domes of Buckminster Fuller, and the supple symmetries of Robert Morris. Inside is a darkened anechoic chamber; the folded felt interior surface defines a soft room with deeply textured walls that inhibit visual and aural means of environmental engagement in favor of the tactile. The sphere is weighted at the bottom but un-tethered, rocking slightly with the movements of its occupants. This movement, limited within a fixed range, intensifies the inhabitants' disorientation with respect to the outside world, adding even gravity to the set of uncertain senses. The internal reorientation - the only possible orientation - relies on imminent, physical, tactile sensorial experience.
Chamber is installed in the Art Atrium. To experience Chamber, see visiting hours posted below. Drawings and models are on view across from the Kibel Gallery in the Architecture Building.
Primitives, a lecture by the designers, will take place on March 7th at 6 pm in the Architecture Building Auditorium (ARC 0204) with reception to follow in Art/Sociology Building Atrium.
Partners: UMD Art Gallery, Department of Art, Honors College, Design | Cultures + Creativity Program.
Interior access begins February 17th.
Chamber is open to users Monday - Friday 9 am - 9 pm. Interior access requires users to visit the Chamber in pairs.
An attendant will be available to assist users with interior access (hours noted below).
Chamber Attendant Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11am - 1 pm
Tuesday, Thursday 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Weekends by appointment: contact Ashley Grzywa at kibelgallery@umd.edu
Rules for Use
1. One person in the Chamber at a time.
2. No food or drink in the Chamber.
3. Limit use to a maximum of 30 minutes (10 minutes while others are waiting).
NOTE: Those prone to claustrophobia should not enter the Chamber.
Photography Credits
Assembly Photos: Ashley Grzywa, Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Assembled/Detail Photos: John David Todd, WOJR