Hljóðhimnar
Hljóðhimnar is a place for children and their families to discover the magical world of sound and tones.
Hljóðhimnar is an intriguing, colourful and warm setting for a wonderland of sound and tones, where all designs aim to educate through play. The organisation of the space is inspired by the ear and the anatomical shapes found in listening, such as the cochlea.
In Hljóðhimnar, the heart of children's culture beats in Harpa.
In Hljóðhimnar, you can sit in the position of the conductor of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, snuggle up to the lullabies and songs of the Icelandic Opera, look into Maximús Músíkús mouseholes, sail around the oceans of music with the Reykjavik Big Band and so much more.
Admission to Hljóðhimnar is free.
Please note that during peak times, it may be necessary to implement access control in Hljódhimnar. Children are not allowed in the space unless accompanied by an adult. The maximum number at a time is 30.
The idea and design process behind Hljóðhimnar
One of the birthday presents on Harpa's 10th anniversary in 2021 was designing a new space specially designed for children and families. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Reykjavík Big Band, which is based in Harpa, and The Icelandic Opera were among those who contributed to creating a unique experiential journey through the magical world of sound and tones. The space has the beautiful name Hljóðhimnar and is located on the ground floor in Harpa. Hljóðhimnar is a play on the Icelandic word for Eardrum - Hljóðhimna - which then translates directly as Sound Worlds. The installation is an invitation to experience the vast world of music and sound without any previous knowledge or education needed.
The design team ÞYKJÓ led the design process in collaboration with Harpa, Gagarín, Vísindasmiðjan, Reykjavík Audio, IRMA, the aforementioned building residents, and last but not least, the ÞYKJÓ´s Kids Council.
ÞYKJÓ´S Kids Council
The ÞYKJÓ´s Kids Council ensured that children participated in the project and influenced the design process. Around 100 children aged 5-7 came to workshops with ÞYKJÓ´s designers and scientists from Vísindasmiðjan in Harpa. The workshops looked for ways to communicate sound physics, how sound waves move the air and how music moves us. Designers started the brainstorming process with the kids. The collaboration and conversation with the children was the foundation on which ÞYKJÓ's design work for Hljóðhimna was based. Children were regularly brought to the table during the work processto give their expert opinion.
