Serene Primary Function: Støyrenser by Kyudo Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award i Bronse in Design av Belysningsprodukter og Armaturer Competition Category.
BronseBelysning· 2026
Serene Primary Function: Støyrenser
by Kyudo Lee
Client: Kyudo Lee
A' Design Award i Bronse Winner in Belysning Category
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Verified Award Winner
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About Serene Primary Function: Støyrenser
Book Text: Serene Noise Purifier er en aktiv akustisk romdeler som reduserer urban støyforurensning med opptil 30 desibel. Den benytter piezoelektrisk tynnfilm-høyttalerteknologi utviklet ved MIT, integrert i en fleksibel membran av resirkulert PET-tekstil. Ved å fungere som en omvendt lydsender, nøytraliserer den aktivt stressfremkallende frekvenser. Designet har en solid marmorsokkel og en søyle i tre, inspirert av tradisjonell koreansk arkitektur, og tilbyr en minimalistisk estetikk. Dette innovative apparatet forvandler akustisk komfort til et primært element i omgivende velvære.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award i Bronse
Serene Primary Function: Støyrenser er vinner av A' Design Award i Bronse, en høyt prestisjefylt anerkjennelse som tildeles enestående design som utmerker seg ved kreativitet, oppfinnsomhet og skarpsindighet. Bronsevinnere er rikt dyktige og påfallende kreative gjenstander som bekrefter designernes store erfaring, fantasi og ressurssterkhet. Serene Primary Function: Støyrenser forventes å være en høyt ansett, beundret og verdsatt gjenstand som er bemerkelsesverdig profesjonell og nyskapende. Dette designet, som har vunnet A' Design Award i Bronse, rommer beste praksis innen kunst, vitenskap, design og teknologi og utmerker seg ved sin omtanke for detaljer. Serene Primary Function: Støyrenser tilfredsstiller behov på en strålende måte, berører ønsker, sjarmerer følelser og vekker nysgjerrighet.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- To support UN sustainable goals for health and cities, this project protects urbanites from severe noise. An acoustic noise purifier uses MIT's thin speaker technology to neutralize city sounds via a flexible, noise-canceling membrane. Integrated ambient lighting reduces eye strain, complementing this acoustic sanctuary. It transforms spaces into a personal silence retreat, a quiet, protected zone to rest and enjoy daily leisure free from stress.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The device utilizes MIT’s ultra-thin flexible speaker technology. A piezoelectric thin film is sandwiched between acoustic fabrics made from recycled PET. Micro-microphones detect urban low-frequency noise, triggering the active film to emit anti-phase sound waves to neutralize it. This allows a complex active noise cancellation system to be manufactured as a lightweight, flexible, and sustainable home appliance.
- Tags
- active noise cancellation, acoustic appliance, noise purifier, urban wellness, paper-thin speaker, soundscape control, minimalist screen, silence retreat, health and well-being, sustainable interior
- Production Technology
- The device utilizes MIT’s ultra-thin flexible speaker technology. A piezoelectric thin film is sandwiched between premium acoustic fabrics from recycled PET. Micro-microphones detect urban low-frequency noise, triggering the active film to emit anti-phase sound waves to neutralize it. This allows a complex active noise cancellation system to be manufactured as a lightweight, flexible, and sustainable home appliance.
- Design Challenge
- The primary challenge involved translating MIT's lab-grade piezoelectric speaker technology into a consumer-ready home appliance. Integrating complex electronics into flexible recycled fabrics without compromising the 30dB active noise cancellation performance required precise engineering. Furthermore, shifting from traditional noise masking methods, such as white noise machines, to spatial noise purification required redefining how users approach acoustic privacy in dense urban spaces.
- Research
- The project applied research to mitigate urban noise linked to cardiovascular issues and hearing loss. The methodology included acoustic testing with sound meters and interviews with 20 apartment residents. Results indicated that traditional dividers are ineffective, and continuous white noise machines can exacerbate hearing strain. The key insight was applying MIT's thin speaker technology to a physical membrane, achieving a 30dB noise reduction. This approach impacts society by replacing auditory masking with active acoustic wellness in interior environments.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration stems from the limitation of traditional room dividers. While they provide visual privacy, they are ineffective against urban noise. The goal was to design an acoustic curtain. Inspired by how physical boundaries block wind, the project utilizes MIT's paper-thin speakers to materialize an invisible element, silence. It translates the intangible problem of acoustic stress into a tangible, elegant interior element, actively cultivating a boundary for personal wellness in dense, chaotic cities.
- Project Duration
- Developed over a 16-week research and prototyping period as a Master's thesis project. The process resulted in a physical prototype, which was officially exhibited at Milan Design Week in April 2023. This global showcase validated both its aesthetic design and technical feasibility to the public.
- Operation Flow
- A heavy marble base provides structural stability and features a toe-tap power indicator for intuitive, ergonomic activation. To eliminate bending, the top of the stand integrates dual sliders for noise cancellation intensity and ambient lighting, ideal for night reading or screen use. This thoughtful separation of controls—foot-tap for power, fingertip for precise environmental tuning—allows users to orchestrate a perfect audiovisual sanctuary effortlessly while standing.
- Patents
- This project is the original intellectual property of Kyudo Lee. All rights are reserved under international copyright law. The unique concept, technical integration, and industrial design are currently under review for potential patent protection.
- Team Members
- Kyudo Lee - Personal Project
- Image Credits
- All 3D renderings, product photography, and presentation media are produced by Kyudo Lee. Milan Design Week exhibition photography is credited to Kyudo Lee.
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