The World’s First Inflatable Concert Hall Tours Japan

Putting such stationary, non-bouncy arts venues as the Sydney Opera House to shame, Ark Nova is the world’s first-ever inflatable concert hall. The striking travelling structure, designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and British artist Anish Kapoor, was created to act as a kind of morale boost for regions affected by the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, where it is currently touring.

Capable of seating 500 people, the structure is 18 metres tall and externally resembles a large, shiny eggplant (or a giant jelly donut, depending on your perspective). Spreading out across 720 square-metres, the hall features benches made from tsunami-damaged cypress trees and a large white helium balloon above the stage that acts as both a sound and light reflector.

The venue is not the easiest structure to manage. It was difficult to get the acoustics right. Air needs to be constantly sent in through an external vent. There’s no temperature control and it’s pretty sensitive to wild wind and weather conditions. But its designers believe the challenge to keep it up and running is worth it.

In a statement about the project, Kapoor said, “Music can give solace and bring community together and in so doing can help us to see we are not alone.”

Via Spoon & Tamago.