The building sat empty for more than three years, made worse by the lockdowns. In 2021, Belfast City Council decided to breathe new life into it. Working with Little Fox Events they reimagined the space as a cultural place where people could enjoy music, markets, workshops or simply have a coffee.

Concept & Branding

Inspired by the Eden Project, the council and Little Fox Events wanted to create a place where people could pause among the bustle. Through workshops we learnt that the branding needed to reflect different personalities and ideas. The building’s long history, its role as a meeting hub and its distinctive architectural features guided our approach. 

Procedural Soundscape

Little Fox wanted to bring the outdoors inside. With plants and natural materials throughout the space, we were asked to create a soundscape that foregrounded nature and wildlife. We designed a layered, procedural system that responds to the time of day and never repeats. It runs as a simple application and creates an organic ambience at the touch of a button.

Music

In a chillout area with a geodesic dome and foliage we created ambient music inspired by artists like William Basinski, Brian Eno and Taylor Deupree. Using reverberant piano, electric piano, synthesisers and granular processing we composed long phrases that evolve slowly. By shifting textures and layers we created a warm, hypnotic atmosphere that changes over time.

Thoughtful design can breathe new life into old spaces. We transformed an empty concrete interior with plants, colour, sound and curiosity. When stakeholders are open to a multidisciplinary approach, it’s possible to create a visceral and memorable experience.