Moodsonic, the global leader in generative soundscaping, and Bluesound Professional, a pioneer in networked audio solutions and part of the Lenbrook Group of companies, today announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the global adoption of responsive, intelligent soundscaping across the built environment.
Most offices have a problem with noise. Noise has been a major complaint in workplaces for decades. It affects privacy, distraction and wellbeing. Working from home has only highlighted just how poorly offices function in this regard. Often, employees are able to focus better at home than in the building that’s actually designed for them to work in.Workplace soundscapes are a relatively new concept. Historical approaches to office sound have tended to focus on eliminating sound from offices. But this can cause more problems than it solves. Spaces can end up being unnaturally quiet and devoid of life. It’s become more of a problem post-Covid, where occupancy is much lower than before.
GSK’s new global headquarters set out with the ambitious goal of creating "the world’s healthiest workplace", and we’re proud to have contributed to that. The project recently won Best Smart Building at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE).
In architecture, the sound of a building is usually overshadowed by its visual appearance. It might even be an afterthought. Yet, as researchers learn more about our relationship with sound, the need for “sonic architecture” is becoming more evident. And with smart building technology, it’s become an accessible tool for designers too.
Humans experience a space through each of their five senses. Take, for example, a visit to the beach. If you were to recollect that memory, you would not just think about the visuals but also about the feeling of sand and breeze against your skin, the taste of salt in the air, the smell of tangy humidity, and the sound of waves hitting the shore.
When we think of healthcare design, our minds might immediately focus on efficient layouts, soothing colour schemes or clean lines. But there’s one invisible factor that often gets overlooked in these spaces: sound. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are full of noise. And this noise isn’t inconsequential; it shapes the experience of patients, staff and visitors in profound ways.
There’s something inherently enjoyable about the crashing of waves on a beach, the rhythmic patter of raindrops on leaves, the gurgling of a gentle stream or the rush of a cascading waterfall. The sounds of water are some of the most popular and powerful sounds in the world. But why? And how can we use biophilic design to harness that power to improve people’s health indoors?
GSK’s newly refurbished Melbourne headquarters has not only met but exceeded its ambitious goals for health and wellbeing. It is now one of only a handful of offices in the city to achieve Platinum WELL Certification, the highest recognition awarded by the International WELL Building Institute.
Join us for the first ever Biophilic Design Conference run by the Journal of Biophilic Design at the Barbican London on 12th November 2024. Moodsonic is delighted to be an official partner, and will be soundscaping the conference to create a supportive, biophilic experience throughout the day.
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