When EMMA opened its new multipurpose space “Luova”, intended not only for a variety of events but also to offer users a calm and focus-supportive environment, acoustic design was a central concern. The building — like many museums — is hard and tends to echo, so the aim was to soften it, both physically and acoustically.
“Acoustics play a crucial role in user experience”
From the point of view of the project’s architect, Johanna Brummer, Ewona’s acoustic solutions were essential in this project. “Good acoustics have a tremendous impact on user experience. If the acoustics are poor, the space easily becomes noisy, which impairs concentration and causes fatigue,” she says.
Tackling difficult geometry: the challenge of the curved cabinets
A special challenge in the space were two curved-shaped “cabinet” rooms that are part of the Luova complex. Curved shapes are acoustically demanding: sound tends to reflect and concentrate in unpredictable ways. The solution was to apply Ewona’s acoustic materials.
By installing the acoustic panels slightly offset from the wall surfaces (i.e. a small air gap behind them), sound absorption improves significantly. Brummer notes that when one stands in the centre of one of the curved rooms after completion, “there is almost a physical sensation of quiet — it is a very powerful experience.”
Sustainability, local origin and design coherence
In the design of the Luova space, sustainability and material origins played a key role. For Brummer, circular economy and local production were not just added values — they were a fundamental part of the design philosophy.
Ewona’s products were chosen not just for their acoustic performance but also for their minimal environmental footprint. This aligned with the desire to create a space where beauty and sustainability go hand in hand.
A seamless fusion of acoustics and aesthetic
What was most satisfying for the designers was how the acoustic solution became part of the space’s visual identity. Ewona’s acoustic panels “fade away” visually, so that from an aesthetic standpoint they are not perceived as separate functional add-ons — but as an integral part of the architecture.
The colour scheme of the room itself was inspired by the museum building’s history. A distinctive wine-red tone — originally present in the building’s old window structures — recurs both in the wall-to-wall carpet and in the acoustic panels. The flexibility offered by Ewona allowed this colour to be precisely matched to the architectural vision.
Smooth collaboration and successful implementation
According to Brummer, collaboration with Ewona was exceptionally smooth: solution-oriented, flexible and expert. She approached Ewona with a fairly complete design idea and asked for a technically feasible implementation — and got it.
A creative space for focus, events and connection
The new Luova room at EMMA stands as an example of how technical design, aesthetic vision and ecological thinking can come together to form a harmonious whole. The result is a space where acoustics do not just “work,” but can truly be felt – where sound doesn’t distract but supports presence, creativity, discussion and calm.
“You enter, and you feel the quiet. It’s a space that calms — exactly what we wanted to create.” — Brummer on the finished result.