Project details
Architects/Designer
Devon Turnbull
Location
New York, USA
Opening
2026
Solution
The custom Kvadrat Acoustics solution comprises Soft Cells panels on walls and Baffles in the ceiling to enhance and refine the space’s sonic performance. All acoustic components are upholstered in Casa. USM seating upholstered in Autumn and Field 2.
Kvadrat is supporting the landmark installation HiFi Pursuit Listening Room Dream No. 3 by multidisciplinary artist and audio designer Devon Turnbull (OJAS), opening this winter at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. The installation is a central feature of Art of Noise, an exhibition celebrating the groundbreaking designs that have shaped how people experience music over the past century.
Originally organized by SFMOMA and adapted for New York, Art of Noise brings together more than 300 works that investigate how objects, devices, and graphic design have influenced the way people experience and interact with music. Located within Cooper Hewitt’s historic Carnegie Library, Turnbull’s installation builds on his ongoing “HiFi Listening Room Dream” series. The large-scale, handmade audio environment envelops visitors in richly textured, emotionally resonant sound delivered through a meticulously engineered high-fidelity system
To realize the project, Turnbull brought together trusted collaborators from previous ventures, including Kvadrat Acoustics, USM, and expert acoustician Ethan Bourdeau. Kvadrat Acoustics worked closely with Turnbull and the design team to ensure the installation met both its acoustic ambitions and its aesthetic goals, while respecting the character of the historic library setting.
The custom Kvadrat Acoustics solution comprises Soft Cells panels on walls, Baffles in the ceiling as well as custom build wall solutions to enhance and refine the space’s sonic performance. Due to the historic ceiling, the only viable way to introduce the necessary acoustic absorption overhead was using Baffles. The ceiling already contained holes from the lighting rail system, but no additional holes were permitted, which ruled out other fixing methods.
The baffles had to be suspended directly from the lighting rails, and Kvadrat Acoustics worked closely with Cooper Hewitt and Turnbull’s team to calculate how much weight the rails could safely carry. This directly informed the final number, spacing, and size of baffles the system could support.
“My partnership with Kvadrat has been revelatory, redefining what’s possible when acoustic performance and aesthetic beauty are treated as one. We’re aligned in our pursuit of thoughtful materials, craftsmanship, and coherent spaces” Devon Turnbull, multidisciplinary artist and audio designer.
Completing the full solution, Soft Cells Broadline panels were incorporated on the wall. To create a cohesive visual expression for this extremely customized project, aligning with Turnbull’s vision for consistent materiality across all treatments, all acoustic components are upholstered in Casa. USM seating throughout the installation features Autumn and Field 2, providing durability, comfort, and a refined tactile experience