Peggie’s Bell
Peggie’s Bell was an acoustic space produced by the Lehigh University Department of Art, Architecture, and Design, built by interdisciplinary students from that department and the College of Engineering under the direction of Professors Richard Kroeker and Anthony Viscardi. It was a design-build project funded as part of the Hammerschlag Design Series (HDS).
The Bell was activated by the human voice. It was intended for the user of singers, singing groups, and others seeking a place for conversation, contemplation or for playing with sound.
Peggie’s Bell was built by adapting a tile vault building technique brought to America by Rafael Gustavino (1842-1908) and used by him to build many public spaces in this region.
Peggie (Peggie Sisson 1922-2015) was a dance teacher whose love of music and dance inspired this singing bell.
Links
Lehigh University’s College of Arts & Sciences Acumen Magazine – Peggie’s Bell: https://acumen.cas.lehigh.edu/content/peggies-bell
Live, at Peggie’s Bell: https://www2.lehigh.edu/news/live-at-peggies-bell
Richard Kroeker, Architect: http://richardkroekerdesign.com/bell.html
Architecture Masterprize: https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=2771
Students disappointed about removal of Peggie’s Bell: https://thebrownandwhite.com/2017/09/10/peggies-bell/
Lehigh News – Peggie’s Bell: https://www2.lehigh.edu/news/peggies-bell
