Serene Primary Function: Mucheneso weRuzha by Kyudo Lee

Serene Primary Function: Mucheneso weRuzha by Kyudo Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mubairo weBronzi we A' Design Award in Zvigadzirwa zveMwenje neZvinoisa Mwenje Competition Category.

BronziMwenje· 2026

Serene Primary Function: Mucheneso weRuzha

by Kyudo Lee

Client: Kyudo Lee

Mubairo weBronzi we A' Design Award Winner in Mwenje Category

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The Design

About Serene Primary Function: Mucheneso weRuzha

Book Text: Serene Noise Purifier mukamuri unopatsanura nzvimbo unodzikisa kusvibiswa kweruzha rwemumaguta nokusvika madhesibheri makumi matatu. Unoshandisa tekinoroji yemaspika ane firimu retete (piezoelectric thin-film) yakagadzirwa kuMIT, yakabatanidzwa muchidziro chinopinda chakagadzirwa nemicheka yePET yakagadziridzwa. Sechinoburitsa ruzha rwakatarisana, unobvisa zvine simba zviungano zvinokonzera kunetseka. Dhizaini iyi ine huwandu hwehwendefa rakasimba remabwe (marble) uye mbiru yematanda, yakafemerwa nezvivakwa zvechinyakare zvechiKorea, ichipa runako rwemustyle wakapfava. Chigadzirwa ichi chitsva chinoshandura kunyaradza kwesauni kuti chive chinhu chikuru chehutano hwenharaunda.

The Recognition

About the Mubairo weBronzi we A' Design Award

Mubairo weBronzi we A' Design Award wakahwinwa ne Serene Primary Function: Mucheneso weRuzha, rukudzo rwakakwirira kwazvo runopiwa kumadhizaini akasiyana anozivikanwa nekugadzira, njere nekungwara. Vakunda veBronzi mabasa ane unyanzvi hwakakwana uye kugadzira kunoshamisa kunosimbisa ruzivo rukuru, pfungwa nehunyanzvi hwevagadziri vawo. Serene Primary Function: Mucheneso weRuzha inotarisirwa kuva chinhu chinokudzwa kwazvo, chinoremekedzwa uye chinodiwa, chine hunyanzvi hunoonekwa uye zvitsva. Dhizaini iyi yakahwina Mubairo weBronzi we A' Design Award inosanganisa maitiro akanakisa muhunyanzvi, sayenzi, dhizaini netekinoroji uye yakasiyana nekutarisisa zvidiki. Serene Primary Function: Mucheneso weRuzha inogutsa zvinodiwa zvakanaka, inobata zvishuvo, inokwezva manzwiro uye inomutsa kuda kuziva.

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.