YONT Studio Explores the Intersection of Sound and Spatial Design
Berlin-based YONT Studio integrates auditory experiences into physical environments through tactile, music-driven installations.
1Conceptualizing Sound in Space
Berlin-based YONT Studio approaches design by treating music as a fundamental element of atmosphere and human memory. Their multidisciplinary practice spans interiors, installations, and visual storytelling. By drawing on everyday rituals, the team creates environments where sound and physical space are deeply interconnected, influencing how people inhabit and perceive their surroundings.
2The Telekom Electronic Beats Collaboration
The studio recently partnered with Telekom Electronic Beats to create an immersive tape installation. Visitors are invited to sit in salvaged car seats and engage with a collection of 140 cassettes. This project transforms the act of listening into a tactile, personal journey, intentionally removing digital feeds to encourage a slower experience.
3Music as a Creative Catalyst
For YONT, music serves as a vital tool for navigating the creative process. The team utilizes specific tracks to overcome creative blocks, maintain momentum during experimentation, or shift their focus toward quiet details. Their curated playlists reveal how auditory stimuli directly inform the identity of their projects, connecting materials, objects, and spaces.
4Curating the Studio Atmosphere
The studio’s musical references range from queer pop anthems like Sophie’s Immaterial to experimental electronic sounds by Avalon Emerson. These selections are not merely background noise; they provide the necessary energy for the team to keep making and experimenting. Specific tracks, such as Fatboy Slim’s work, help define the chaotic yet productive studio energy.
5Memory and Design Identity
Music often acts as a bridge to the studio’s past and foundational projects. For instance, Joe Goddard’s Truth is Light is inextricably linked to their record store project at Torstrasse 220. This early work solidified the studio’s commitment to blending music, physical objects, and spatial design into a cohesive, narrative-driven experience.
6Tactile Engagement in Installations
The installation design emphasizes physical interaction, utilizing pink structural elements to frame the industrial hall space. By embedding 140 cassettes into the architecture, YONT encourages visitors to physically browse and select their own audio journey. This approach prioritizes a tangible, slow-paced engagement over the convenience of modern, high-speed digital streaming platforms.
7Visual and Auditory Synergy
Visual references, including album cover art like Arca’s XXXXX, play a significant role in the studio’s aesthetic output. These influences were instrumental during the design phase of the Telekom Electronic Beats collaboration with Namilia. The studio consistently demonstrates how visual legacy and musical rhythm can align to create a singular, unified spatial environment.
8The Future of Spatial Listening
YONT Studio continues to advocate for the importance of slowing down to experience music within a designed environment. By integrating headphones and curated soundtracks, they aim to make visitors feel detached from the outside world. This methodology highlights a growing trend in design where sensory experiences are prioritized to enhance human connection.