Forest to Focus

We design workplaces for what we can see…but what about what we hear? Humans evolved in rich, adaptive natural soundscapes that signal safety, rhythm, and time. Today, many interiors are dominated by mechanical hum, overlapping speech, and digital alerts...often enough to trigger stress responses, erode focus and reduce satisfaction, especially in open-plan environments.

‍

This panel explores sound as a design material: how it shapes wellbeing, cognition and productivity, and how biophilic sound strategies can create calmer, more inclusive workplaces. Featuring perspectives from acoustics, psychology, design and building systems, we’ll share practical approaches and real-world examples—plus a few “listen differently” moments you’ll feel immediately. Hosted in-studio.

‍

Accessibility Note: The studio is a 10-minute walk from City Hall LRT Station (Red & Blue Lines) and is served by a public parking lot directly facing the building, with additional street parking nearby. The main entrance features a small stairway with an elevator; a vertical platform lift is also available, though it has been noted to operate slowly and produce significant noise, which may be a consideration for attendees with auditory sensitivities. A dedicated wheelchair ramp is located on the west side of the building, adjacent to the alley passthrough. Venue staff have confirmed that a team member will be stationed at the ramp entrance to assist guests and guide them to the event space. The studio itself is fully accessible via elevator to all floors. Attendees with specific accessibility needs are encouraged to contact the organizers in advance.