^{Project Type: Research and innovation building / guesthouse
Location: Dübendorf, Switzerland
Architecture: Gramazio Kohler Architects, Zurich
Research Partner: EMPA – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
Application: Transparent acoustic curtains in lobby, meeting and guest rooms
Product: STREAMER pro (αw 0.8) / WHISPER classic (αw 0.5)
Photography: © Roman Keller}

Project Overview
NEST is an experimental infrastructural building at Empa in Dübendorf, Switzerland, created as a platform for testing and implementing innovative building technologies. At the same time, it functions as a flexible guesthouse accommodating EMPA researchers and visitors. The building consists of a central “backbone” structure and three open platforms where research and innovation modules can be installed according to a plug-and-play principle, enabling continuous transformation and experimentation. Designed by Gramazio Kohler Architects, the project explores spatial relationships and contextual behaviour through computational design and digital fabrication, combining advanced technologies with traditional architectural methods.

Acoustic Challenge
Highly flexible research environments and open communal areas require adaptable acoustic solutions that support communication, concentration and comfort while maintaining transparency and openness within experimental architectural settings.

Acoustic Solution
Within an Innosuisse (CTI) research collaboration (2009-2011) between EMPA and Annette Douglas Textiles, the world’s first translucent acoustic textile collection — the Silent Space Collection — was developed. The NEST building provides an ideal platform to demonstrate this innovation in real architectural application. The transparent acoustic curtain STREAMER pro (αw 0.8) was installed in the lobby reception area, meeting rooms and WHISPER classic in the guest rooms. The translucent textile allows natural daylight to flow through the spaces while significantly improving room acoustics and maintaining visual openness. The acoustic curtains provide highly efficient sound absorption and are flame-retardant, fulfilling demanding safety requirements for contemporary research and hospitality environments while integrating seamlessly into the architectural concept.

Application

• transparent acoustic curtain STREAMER pro / WHISPER classic
• sound absorption coefficient αw 0.8 / αw 0.5
• installation in lobby, meeting rooms and guest rooms
• preservation of daylight and spatial transparency
• improvement of acoustic comfort in flexible research environments
• integration within modular plug-and-play architecture
• flame-retardant textile suitable for public and research buildings

Architectural Impact
The project demonstrates how innovative textile acoustic solutions can support experimental architecture by combining research, material innovation and spatial performance while preserving openness, flexibility and daylight quality.

Textile acoustic solutions by Annette Douglas Textiles improve room acoustics, are flame-retardant, and preserve architectural transparency and design intent.