Designing Soundscape for New Children’s Hospital in Helsinki

The New Children’s Hospital in Helsinki is the largest children’s clinic in Finland. The hospital won the 2018 Finlandia Prize for Architecture shortly after it was taken into use. The soundscape of the Hospital was designed and implemented by Sound in New Media, Master of Arts, students from Aalto University’s Media Lab under Antti Ikonen's instruction and supervision. He also participated in collecting and crafting the sounds which are now heard in selected areas of the building. The soundscape is generative and the 60-channel IP-audio sound system covers all floors and elevators of the building. The sounds are designed according to the visual themes of the floors, from underwater to space and stars, aiming at a soothing experience which also makes the hospital feel friendly for the children. The project is ongoing and the soundscape will be developed and fine-tuned utilising feedback from both visitors and employees of the hospital.