The entire geometry, design and individual ambience of Cocoon - created by the renowned New York-based Stephan Dupoux - revolves around a spatially lavish series of interlocking circles and spheres. This specific environment required highly precise audio: "The only way to achieve exactly what they wanted was to start from scratch, producing a special sound design that incorporated both bespoke and off-the-shelf elements," explains CP's Colin Pattenden.
The central bar area is flanked by three circular dining rooms or 'cocoons', each slightly different to the next, with a reception area at one end, and a private VIP room at the other. The tables are all round or ovular and filled with luscious red and pink rose petals under glass tops. The bar is also round.
The sonic requirement was for a powerful, high quality background sound system in all areas, plus a DJ within the central bar and lounge area. Pattenden has zoned Cocoon into eight separate areas using a Cloud zoner, complete with eight separate level controls, accessible from behind the bar. The visual intricacy of the environment meant that spherical speakers were the only aesthetic option for cabinets needing to be in view. Pattenden had the 300mm 'eyeball' spheres made from glass fibre and fitted them with JBL components to create the mid-highs he needed. These are dubbed 'JBL Control 26CS' by CP Sound, who are producing a full range including bass.
The 17 bass speakers in the cocoons - colour coded JBL SB2s - are floor mounted and concealed behind the series of voile curtains dividing each area. The VIP room features more hidden bass and JBL Control 25 enclosures. All other cocoons have four tops - two spherical JBL Control 26CS's in view and two hidden JBL Control 25s, plus two concealed SB2s in each. The central bar/lounge area has four Control 26CS spheres, while additional 'oomph' is added by JBL Control 28s.
RSE amplification is used throughout - a total of 10 amps in all producing a total of 5000 watts. These are shoehorned into a very tight air conditioned room in specially built CP Sound portable racks. Pattenden specified a standard DJ set up including a hand held Shure mic, and AKG radio mic and a mic stand - giving them the option of use for conferences/receptions. There's a Denon CD player, two Technics decks including Stanton carts, an Allen & Heath Xone 6:2 mixer and a JBL Control 28 DJ monitor. The background music system plays off a Mac G4 PowerBook.
The huge challenge with the job was getting the spheres made to exactly the right specification and mounting them seamlessly on the ceiling, which is achieved using a large rubber 'O' ring to keep them stable.
(Lee Baldock)
