Moodsonic Soundscaping

A curated auditory environment has an invisible but tangible influence on our well-being and sense of place. What better way to understand this impact than hearing it for yourself? In partnership with @moodsonic , we welcomed guests for an event showcasing “living acoustics,” a design approach that treats sound as the moldable medium it’s always been. With our office space as an example, visitors explored an auditory environment finely tuned to the space, the users, and ever-changing interactions—allowing them to envision what’s possible in their own and client spaces. 🔗Learn more about the event and how you can join next time at the link in our bio. #acoustics #biophilicdesign #soundscaping

You're invited! Join us at AKRF for an evening exploring "Living Acoustics" – a new approach to designing sound in the built environment. Learn and experience how adaptive soundscaping and biophilic design can create workplaces that feel more alive and support how people work, focus, and connect. 📍 AKRF, Midtown Manhattan, New York City 🗓️ November 13, 5–7pm 🎟️ RSVP at link in bio

What if the sound of a workplace could adapt – changing with the time of day, activity, and the people within it? Together with @akrfinc , we’re reimagining sound functions in architecture. "Living Acoustics" combines adaptive soundscaping with biophilic acoustic design to create workplaces that feel more natural, human, and alive. Join us in New York City for an evening of tours and short talks exploring this next generation of workplace design. 📍 AKRF, New York City 🗓️ November 13, 5-7pm 🎟️ RSVP link in bio

Sonic Architecture.... Our new piece for @venetianletter explores how sonic architecture is shifting the way we think about space—not just making noise less disruptive, but using sound intentionally to shape experiences. From workplaces to healthcare environments, the right soundscape can transform how people feel, focus, and connect. 🔗 Read more at the link in our bio

Birdsong matters more than you think... New research underscores the deep connection between human health and the health of the natural world. While we know that spending time in nature is profoundly beneficial, the story is far more complex—and multi-sensory. Researchers have shown that it’s not just any nature or birdsong that supports wellbeing, but specific qualities of those soundscapes. The richness, complexity, and variety of birdsong—reflecting greater biodiversity—are key to enhancing human healt. Put simply: greater biodiversity = richer soundscapes = better wellbeing #biophilicdesign #soundscapes #biophilia #wellbeing

🌿 Awe-inspiring biophilic design 🌿 The word "awesome" might be overused, but true awe is a reminder of the grandeur that surrounds us, often in the natural world. Terrapin Bright Green's recent 10th Anniversary Edition of the Patterns of Biophilic Design introduces "Awe" as a new pattern. This pattern explores the scientific benefits of biophilic design that defies our expectations, change our perceptions and evoke wonder. Check out Terrapin Bright Green's latest (re)publication at their website. Thank you to everyone involved in the publication.

"People have known for literally millennia that natural sound is really good for people..." Fran Board spoke to Trista Sobeck for @openworksfm 's Clean Slate podcast about the role that research plays in designing people's sonic experiences in buildings. #biophilicdesign #biophilia #workplacedesign #workplaceresearch

Post-COVID, many predicted that the physical office would revolve entirely around one work mode: collaboration. But here's the challenge—many employees are still struggling to find spaces for focused work. As Evan Benway says, "We don’t come into the office and do one work mode all day long." Pods, phone booths, and noise-canceling headphones are clear signs of the growing demand for focus-friendly spaces in offices. While collaboration is still essential, striking the right balance is key. And initiatives like soundscaping improve with the sound field to enable focused work in open-plan spaces without isolating individuals or creating silos. #work20XX #workplacedesign #workplaceinnovation #workplaceexperience #focus #productivity #sound #noise #distraction

"Sound can trigger our fight or flight response or it can calm us down, and we don't want to leave that response to chance in buildings," says Moodsonic's Fran Board. Thanks for Trista Sobeck from @openworksfm for talking with us about sound in workplaces and how it can be designed to create positive employee experiences. #facilities #facilitiesmanagement #workplacenoise #sound

Supporting employees with restorative spaces... Open offices can be relentlessly stressful, nudging employees toward burnout and making things far worse for those already suffering. Provide dedicated, restorative spaces, carefully designed for mental well-being. Unlike a token “quiet room,” which may feel sterile or uninspired, a restorative space should be a rich sensory retreat––think natural soundscaping, calming scents, ergonomic furniture, greenery, natural or circadian lighting, acoustic treatments, and ideally ways that these elements can be controlled to suit the needs of the user. The impact on well-being can be significant. Even brief exposure to restorative elements can reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, and restore mental clarity––helping people return to their tasks refreshed. Research shows that spaces like these help everyone, even people who are already feeling well, but they are particularly beneficial to those already suffering from stress, so they’re an important consideration for any workplace.

Vowels? Who needs them? It’s the consonants in the higher frequencies that do most of the work of making speech intelligible. (And distracting.) Thanks Jeff Frick for the engaging conversation! #workplacenoise #workplaceexperience #productivity #distraction

We have pages and pages of notes from the Journal of Biophilic Design Conference! It’s challenging to distill so many inspiring ideas and projects, but here are just a few takeaways that resonated… Siobhan Wyatt, @maggiesglasgow : While "journeys" in design have become clichéd, thoughtful pause-points in a building allow people to process complex emotions. Create spaces that encourage the eyes to wander—small details matter. Gijs Bruggink, ORGA architect: A reminder, courtesy of Bill Browning, to focus on a few biophilic patterns and execute them well. The image shown is ORGA's beautiful Oosterhout Bay project. Prof. Harriet Shortt, @bathspauni : The more we move forward, the further we come back––biophilic design takes us back to our evolutionary roots. How can we bring the benefits of home working (comfort, cosiness, curation) into our offices? Prof Geoffrey Proffitt: Nature doesn’t operate in straight lines. The more complex the water’s edge, the richer the opportunities for nature to thrive. Jean Hewitt, @buro_happold : Designing for neurodiversity calls for clarity, control, and calm. Spaces should be easy to understand, offer a sense of control and use thoughtful design to encourage restoration. Xander Cadisch, @phos.light : We spend more time indoors than maximum security prisoners. Value-engineering lighting can harm our health—LED blue lights can suppress sleep like a double shot of espresso. Nicholas Atherton, @natural_dimensions : Landscaping can integrate a building into its surroundings––for instance, they used raised mounds to embed a school building into nature. Robert Bedner, @curadesignpractice : No site is a blank canvas—it’s already full of life. Martin Brown, @lfeurope : A reminder that if you're too busy to spend 20 minutes in nature, then you need to spend an hour in nature. Vanessa Champion, @journalofbiophilicdesign : Design with heart; with honesty and integrity. 💚