Charles Sturt University, Media Release, 16 February 2022
In a world-first, a rusty old water tank in Cobar in the Australian outback has been transformed into a sound-art, architectural masterpiece that will put Cobar on the global tourist map.
The creation of the Cobar Sound Chapel saw the installation of an approximately five-metre cube within the 10-metre-high tank in which classical music will play 24 hours a day, seven days a week on loop via a quadraphonic sound system.
The unique project was a collaboration between Senior Engineer in Residence in the Charles Sturt School of Computing, Mathematics and Engineering Mr Peter Thew, renowned composer and sound artist Mr Georges Lentz and Pritzker-Prize-winning architect Mr Glenn Murcutt.
All who visit the Sound Chapel will experience an immersive walk-in acoustic rendition of Mr Lentz’s ‘String Quartet(s)’ (2000-21) in the initial phase. Speakers are built into each of the four walls, placing listeners who sit on the central bench at the heart of the experience.
In the lead up to Global Day of the Engineer, Mr Thew reflected on the ‘silent’ work of the engineer in many projects that often provide the foundations of every-day life.
“We walk and drive across engineering every day, we put our faith in engineering when we stand on the 102nd floor of a building.”
Mr Thew said he was honoured and excited to be asked to work on this once-in-a-lifetime project.
“When I was approached to be involved in the project, I knew opportunities like this did not arise every day,” Mr Thew said.
“The concept was highly intriguing as the design is unusual and the structural forms are unique. But as an engineer, I took it back to first principles, which is what we do when faced with an unusual task that we haven’t seen before.”
Mr Thew said the project had transformed the old water tank into a work of art.
“The artist’s vision was to have 24/7 surround sound beaming from the four speakers in the walls and as the engineer, it was my job to make it work from a construction perspective,” he said.
“The design creates a mesmerising atmosphere where you can soak up the music under the sunburnt sky of the dusty Australian outback.”
The construction phase of the project took about three years to complete and has turned what was previously a decrepit and vandalised water tank in a remote country town into an attraction that has already received international acclaim.
Famous composer and member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Mr Lentz said the Cobar Sound Chapel would host an ongoing music festival from 2023, offering classical music at first and then branching out into world music.
Mr Thew said he was proud to put Charles Sturt engineering on the map with such a prestigious project.
“Charles Sturt University is the only regional university to offer engineering throughout New South Wales,” he said.
“Our program is unique in that students work on real projects from the very beginning, applying what they learn in the real world as they go.
“The Cobar Sound Chapel will cement Cobar as a place where very high-level classical music will be performed and homed. This project will continue to inspire Charles Sturt students in every way.”
Mr Thew said the Sound Chapel was a world-class facility and not just another country town attraction.
- Cobar Sound Chapel (Sound Chapel) official opening is on Saturday 2 April 2022
- Global Day of the Engineer is on Wednesday 24 February 2022
