Moodsonic Brings Biophilic Soundscapes to Commercial Environments
Following two years of development and incubation, Moodsonic has officially launched with its biophilic soundscapes, aiming to create healthier work, healthcare and educational spaces through the power of natural audio and adaptive learning software. While natural sounds have long been known to help lower stress and heart-rates in individuals, however, Moodsonic also sees great value in using these sounds as a masking agent as well, reducing audio distractions and noise while also promoting optimal cognitive functioning. Think of it as a substitute to the traditional white, pink or brown noise you might hear in corporate offices.
Working with architects, designers, real estate, AV and IT teams on projects, Moodsonic’s proprietary software elevates existing systems to become drivers of this ‘biophilic sound,’ and while the company most commonly works with pre-existing sound systems, they also note that the software works with spatial and smart technologies, which can lead to more ‘innovative’ deployments.
“We created Moodsonic to address a pervasive and unaddressed need: whether in offices, hospitals, schools or elsewhere, everyone hates the sound indoors. All of the historical approaches have been negative; reduce the volume here, eliminate sound there. With Moodsonic we took a step back and dug deep into the science of how sound affects us, psychoacoustics and acoustic engineering, to build technology to optimize the soundscape indoors”, said Evan Benway, founder and managing director of Moodsonic.
The Company Also Wants to Take the Stress out of Audio Installations
Prior to their launch, Moodsonic had already had the fortune of being able to work with several top companies to test out their solution, including noted workplace manufacturer and design company, Steelcase, at their Grand Rapids campus in Michigan.
According to Moodsonic, the technology allows it to scale each deployment to meet the needs of whatever it is being placed in, whether it is a single floor or an entire multistory building. It even allows for granular zoning, multichannel audio and user control. A series of sensors further play into the adaptability of the company’s generative software. Being able to analyze changes in the environment in real time, the software is then able to further personalize the soundscapes based on each environment while also learning the ideal audio profile over time.
Once installed, the soundscapes then provide users with a library of themes designed for different activities and space types that have been drawn from natural environments. The company even notes that the soundscapes can be used for the purposes of circadian entrainment, complimenting other human-centric set-ups like dynamic/circadian lighting.
“Our vision with Moodsonic is to turn sound from a painful afterthought into a positive and exciting design tool. We want to show that without breaking the bank, organizations of all sizes can create spaces where all the senses work together in harmony,” Benway stated.
“Spaces that are less stressful and more engaging, and where people feel calm, secure, and productive. Inclusive spaces for everyone, where no matter our degree of sensory sensitivity, we can find options that nurture and support us. Moodsonic is leading the way in designing soundscapes based on science, and buildings that use sound to connect us back to nature.”
