^{Project Type: Educational and cultural building
Location: EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland
Architecture: SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa)
Application: Acoustic curtain for conference and event hall
Product: WHISPER air 100}

Project Overview
The Rolex Learning Center, designed by the Japanese architects SANAA, serves as a learning laboratory, library and cultural centre on the campus of the EPFL – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne. Conceived as an open and fluid architectural landscape, the building is primarily intended for students while remaining accessible to the public. With a total area of approximately 20,000 m², the centre combines study spaces, meeting areas and cultural facilities within a continuous spatial environment.

Acoustic Challenge
Large open architectural volumes and multifunctional public spaces require carefully balanced acoustics to support lectures, conferences and events. The conference hall needed improved speech intelligibility and acoustic comfort while maintaining the architectural openness and clarity characteristic of SANAA’s design.

Acoustic Solution
In the 600-seat conference and event hall, the acoustic curtain WHISPER air 100 by Annette Douglas Textiles ACOUSTICS® was installed along the perimeter walls. The textile system significantly improves room acoustics by absorbing sound energy and reducing reverberation, contributing to clear speech transmission and a comfortable listening environment while integrating discreetly into the architectural concept. The textiles are flame-retardant, fulfilling stringent safety standards required for public buildings.

Application

• acoustic curtain WHISPER air 100
• installed along the walls of the conference and event hall
• designed for lecture and event environments
• improves speech intelligibility and acoustic comfort
• reduces reverberation in large interior volumes
• seamless integration into architectural design

Architectural Impact
The project demonstrates how textile acoustic solutions can enhance educational and cultural spaces by supporting communication and acoustic clarity while preserving architectural openness and spatial continuity.

Textile acoustic solutions by Annette Douglas Textiles enhance room acoustics, meet flame-retardant safety standards, and preserve architectural transparency and design intent.