Pipe Organ

Goal

Build a kid-proof pipe organ with exposed inner workings.  As far as I know, this is the only pipe organ in the world that is available for public use.

Design Details

  • Kid-proof keyboard with 1-piece plastic keys
  • ‘Drop the bass’ button for the big zinc pipe
  • All mechanisms visible

 

Pipes
Detail of the pipes, donated by David Storey
UserAtKeyboard
The moving valves are visible from the player's perspective as she presses the keys
BlowerAndWiring
Detail of regulator, blower, and electronics
KeyboardAndBigButton
Detail of kid-proof keyboard
Pipe organ v03.01 - 30 note_CS4
Illustrator rendering of the design, before I handed design and fabrication responsibilities to Cole.

Roles

Special thanks to David M Storey Inc Pipe Organ Builders for donating parts and providing invaluable advice.

SV: management, technical research, initial designs, electrical
Cole Pritchard: final design, fabrication, tuning, general wizardry

Location

Maryland Science Center, Baltimore MD

Installed

2015

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