Close your eyes. What do you hear? Rice being poured into a pot. The crack of an egg. When did you last hear this sound? Wind in reeds. Rain on a rooftop. Where were you, and who were you with? Magpies chattering. Bees enjoying summer pollen. How were you feeling that day? Creaking joints. Inhaling and exhaling. Take two deep breaths now. Imagine you’re on a jetty. Climb down the ladder. Submerge. What does it sound like underwater? What do you feel?

Map Project Office and Father envision Sonic Heirloom — a dedicated object that preserves, connects, and celebrates our sonic memories.

This project encourages reflection on the profound role sound plays in capturing life’s significant moments, urging us to engage more intentionally with the soundscapes of our lives. Rather than allowing sound to passively complement the visual, Sonic Heirloom invites users to embrace sound as a primary sense for storytelling and memory.

Once a memory is recorded, the puck is docked in the playback device, where it is permanently enshrined within the heirloom.

Sonic Heirloom consists of a recording puck and a playback device featuring a resonant bell. The puck, designed for portability, allows users to effortlessly capture sonic memories in the moment. Once a memory is recorded, the puck is docked in the playback device, where it is permanently enshrined within the heirloom.

Inspired by historical sonic tools imbued with meaning

Upon playback, the bell begins to turn, emitting a physical resonance that harmonises with the recorded audio. This creates an immersive soundscape, deeply connecting the user to their memory. Over time, the bell’s resonance becomes intrinsically linked to the captured moment, adding an emotional depth to the experience.

Inspired by historical sonic tools imbued with meaning, such as bells and clocks, the Sonic Heirloom reflects these timeless forms in its materiality, interaction, and design language. Built to endure, the heirloom can be passed down through generations, inviting each new generation to connect with, reinterpret, and cherish the memories it holds.