^{Project Type: Cultural and rehearsal residence
Location: Rheinau, Switzerland
Architecture: Bembé Dellinger Architects, Greifenberg
Acoustic Planning: Kahle Acoustics, Brussels
Artist: Beat Zoderer, Wettingen
Client: Foundation Isle of Music Rheinau / Canton of Zurich
Application: Transparent acoustic curtains and acoustic wall installations
Product: STREAMER classic (αw 0.8)
Photography: © Marcel Grubenmann / © Bembé Dellinger}

Project Overview
The former Benedictine monastery located on one of the Rhine’s loops in Rheinau, Switzerland, has been carefully renovated and transformed into a peaceful rehearsal residence for musicians of diverse backgrounds and musical styles. The project combines historical architecture with contemporary acoustic design, creating spaces dedicated to concentration, creativity and musical exchange within a calm monastic environment.

Acoustic Challenge
Historic buildings with large volumes and hard surfaces often generate significant reverberation. The rehearsal and music spaces required adaptable acoustic solutions capable of supporting different musical practices while preserving the architectural character and natural daylight of the monastery interiors.

Acoustic Solution
Fixed and movable acoustic installations were developed by Kahle Acoustics to respond precisely to varying reverberation requirements. A central acoustic and artistic feature of the music hall is the installation by Swiss artist Beat Zoderer in cooperation with Annette Douglas, integrating art and acoustic performance. Along the windows, the transparent acoustic curtain STREAMER classic (αw 0.8) by Annette Douglas Textiles ACOUSTICS® was installed as a movable sound absorber. The translucent textile allows natural daylight to flood the rehearsal spaces while improving room acoustics and maintaining visual openness toward the surrounding landscape. The acoustic curtains are flame-retardant, meeting demanding safety standards while remaining lightweight and architecturally unobtrusive. Musicians particularly appreciate rehearsing in naturally lit spaces with balanced and comfortable acoustics.

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Application

• transparent acoustic curtain STREAMER classic
• sound absorption coefficient αw 0.8
• movable acoustic element along window façades
• preservation of daylight and spatial transparency
• adaptable reverberation control for musical rehearsal
• integration of art, acoustics and historic architecture
• flame-retardant textile suitable for cultural buildings

Architectural Impact
The project demonstrates how transparent textile acoustic solutions can sensitively enhance historic architecture, enabling contemporary musical use while preserving atmosphere, daylight and spatial calm.

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