Quiet Studio

The project brief was to create a temporary installation for Melbourne Design Week 2025 that would explore calm, clarity, and the role of sound in shaping wellbeing. The site, a gallery at 63 Derby Street, Collingwood, required a transformation from a reverberant, urban interior into a restorative sanctuary that could host guided meditations, breathwork, and sound healing.

The challenge was to deliver measurable acoustic and physiological benefits while maintaining a strong architectural identity. The design team was asked to blend sustainability, wellness science, and aesthetics into a single cohesive experience.

By integrating acoustic panels and sculptural geometry, the intent was to reduce cognitive load from urban noise, provide an evidence-backed enhancement to mental clarity, and offer an inclusive space that acknowledges and respects the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Quiet Studio stands.

Quiet Studio embodies the principles of good design by merging functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic innovation into a holistic user experience. The acoustically treated interior supports speech intelligibility, reduces noise-induced stress, and fosters physiological calm, verified by rigorous testing. Accessibility is inherent through intuitive circulation, inclusive seating, and a welcoming entry that invites diverse audiences.

Material selection prioritised sustainability, with Autex Acoustics’ carbon-neutral panels shaping a warm, sculptural interior that feels both intimate and expansive. Safety was addressed through lightweight panel systems and robust structural design, while the layered arches create a striking aesthetic benchmark in temporary installation design.

The user experience is central: guided meditations and sound therapy sessions are enriched by a sensory environment that actively reduces cortisol levels and cognitive fatigue. Visitors report feeling grounded and restored within minutes of entry, illustrating the effectiveness of evidence-based design strategies.

By integrating Indigenous knowledge of sound and place, the project acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people, drawing inspiration from principles of listening deeply to Country. This respect for context sets a cultural and ethical benchmark alongside the technical one.

Quiet Studio demonstrates that investing in professional design creates meaningful spaces that support human wellbeing. It sets a precedent for Victoria’s design community and offers a model that could be adopted internationally in wellness, education, and public architecture. It is a living demonstration of design as a tool for social and environmental good.

The innovation of Quiet Studio lies in its seamless fusion of architecture, acoustic science, and wellness practice. Rather than relying on traditional finishes, the design team developed a layered geometry inspired by natural soundwave patterns, which simultaneously serves as a sculptural identity and an advanced acoustic treatment. This approach was original in its ability to deliver measurable wellness outcomes in a temporary installation format.

Acoustic testing validated a world-leading reduction in reverberation times, down to 0.15–0.26 seconds, and a 70% increase in speech intelligibility. These parameters are rarely achieved in gallery settings and represent an unprecedented level of acoustic control in a temporary project.

The collaboration with Universal Practice ensured that user needs were prioritised, with programming that included meditation, breathwork, and sound therapy sessions tailored to the acoustically optimised environment. Visitors encountered not only a striking visual design but also a tangible physiological benefit, moving beyond aesthetics to function.

The use of sustainable, carbon-neutral Autex materials demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to responsible design. The project’s success also lies in its transdisciplinary process: Studiobird’s architectural expertise, Autex’s technical innovation, and Universal Practice’s wellness framework collectively produced a solution greater than the sum of its parts.

This innovative integration of disciplines offers a blueprint for future projects seeking to merge evidence-based design and human-centred outcomes. It shows that temporary installations can be more than visual spectacles — they can serve as active agents for calm, healing, and environmental stewardship.

Quiet Studio leaves a lasting impact on both visitors and the broader design community. For individuals, the installation offers measurable physiological benefits: improved speech clarity reduces mental fatigue, and optimal reverberation times support the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting calm. These outcomes were validated through acoustic measurements and visitor feedback, underscoring the value of investing in design that nurtures wellbeing.

Socially, the project contributes to a wider dialogue on how architecture and acoustics can foster mental health in urban environments. By creating a calm space in Collingwood, a vibrant, often noisy area, the installation demonstrates how urban interiors can be transformed into sanctuaries. Acknowledging the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people and their enduring connection to the land, the design encourages deeper listening and respect for place, enriching community understanding of Country.

Environmentally, the use of carbon-neutral acoustic panels aligns with circular design principles by utilising materials that can be reconfigured and reused with minimal impact. The modular installation was designed for disassembly, ensuring minimal waste at the end of its life cycle.

Economically, the project elevates the profile of Victoria’s design culture, attracting international attention through Melbourne Design Week and media coverage. It demonstrates the benefits of commissioning professional design teams and fosters opportunities for local material innovation and collaboration.

The impact extends beyond its temporary footprint, offering a replicable model for future healthcare, educational, and public wellness spaces. Quiet Studio communicates that design excellence is not only about visual appeal but about creating measurable, positive change in the human experience.

Quiet Studio exemplifies circular design and sustainability by using materials and processes that minimise environmental impact while maximising long term value. The core material Autex Acoustics panels is carbon neutral and manufactured with recycled content designed to be reused or recycled after deinstallation. This choice ensured that the installation contributed no net emissions and left no permanent trace on the site.

The modular design allows each panel to be disassembled and redeployed in other projects demonstrating a commitment to designing out waste. By integrating acoustic performance with structural elegance the design reduced the need for additional finishes or treatments minimising material use. Lighting was carefully specified to be energy efficient while achieving the warm ambience necessary for the wellness program.

Timber stools and fixtures were sourced from suppliers who adhere to sustainable forestry practices further reducing environmental impact. Beyond materials sustainability is embedded in the installation’s purpose. By creating a space that supports mental restoration the project aligns with principles of regenerative design contributing positively to human health and productivity. The acoustic improvements reduce noise pollution’s harmful effects which in turn benefits broader environmental health in urban settings.

Quiet Studio serves as a tangible demonstration of how sustainable design can deliver both aesthetic and functional excellence. At the time of writing Quiet Studio is already planned for reuse and reinstallation at the Sydney Opera House and as a permanent installation in a workspace further extending its sustainable life cycle and amplifying its positive impact on society and environment.