“Have you trapped birds inside the ceiling?”
Reactions varied widely when PhD fellow Maham Riaz carried out an experiment on her unsuspecting colleagues. Riaz is a researcher at the RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion at the University of Oslo, and in one of her studies she placed speakers playing birdsong inside the center’s offices.
One speaker was hidden in a recycling box in the kitchen; another was concealed in a cardboard box close to the printer. The sound came and went, triggered by sensors detecting movement.
“When we are indoors, we usually remain in static environments — at the office, at home, or in the library. When birdsong suddenly appears, it affects us, and most often in a positive way,” says Riaz.
A bookshelf that reminds you of an appointment
Photo: Diego Marín
In her PhD, Riaz has studied both birdsong and other sounds that can occur within indoor spaces. One study focused on sounds from ventilation systems — often perceived as disturbing, though they don’t have to be. Another explored advanced ‘smart-home effects’, such as a bookshelf that gently reminds you of an upcoming appointment.
“I have explored how everyday background sounds can move from being experienced as noise to becoming part of a meaningful listening experience,” she explains.
According to Riaz, there is potential in this idea: her participants were largely positive, both toward natural indoor sounds and personalized acoustic effects, such as subtle reminders from furniture.
“They felt that they could influence the room they were in — that they could control their surroundings. What they normally just perceived through their senses became something they were actively part of. Then they have felt more engaged and satisfied.”
“Why don’t we have this permanently?”
Of course, hearing birdsong indoors where you don’t expect it can be surprising.
Riaz observed from a distance as her colleagues reacted. Several began searching for the source of the sound, and some worried that birds might be trapped above the ceiling. Yet in later interviews, everyone said they enjoyed the experience, offering comments such as:
“I didn’t realize how tense I was until the birds started, and then I relaxed immediately.”
“It helped clear my head.”
“It [the office] feels more human and natural. Why don’t we have this permanently?”
A survey confirmed these responses: Participants reported feeling happier, more refreshed, and better able to focus.
Even the dogs in the office seemed to approve.
Illustration: Maham Riaz
The dogs loved to be in the kitchen
“I can’t interview dogs,” Riaz says, “but I noticed that the dogs in our office spent more time in the kitchen when the birds were playing. They seemed calmer. When someone triggered the motion sensor, the dogs lifted their ears, as if trying to locate the source of the sound.”
Still, she cautions that birdsong should not be added everywhere indiscriminately.
“There needs to be something credible to support the sound — plants, or a view of trees — otherwise it can feel out of place. Even artificial plants help. Our offices at RITMO have large windows and plenty of light, so the sound didn’t feel misplaced.”
“It felt like the room was looking after me”
There are also other factors to consider, she adds. For instance, Riaz ensured that the sound only played when people triggered it, and that there was no birdsong at night.
Other smart ambient effects — such as a bookshelf that gives reminders or a chair that signals when you’ve been sitting too long — can also be promising, though they must be implemented carefully. In another study (not published yet, but available in her PhD thesis), Riaz examined these personalized sound cues in individual offices.
One participant described it this way:
“Aw, it felt like the room was looking after me. Handling the busy stuff and also giving soft reminders to move when I’d been sitting too long.”
“The room must never override the person”
“Imagine a gentle sound of rain in your room warning you that it will rain in 15 minutes, or a faint vibration in a corner of the room when you receive a message. The possibilities are endless. My data suggests that people find such effects pleasant — if used with care,” says Riaz.
Asked whether there might be downsides of such sound effects, she emphasizes the importance of individual differences.
“Some may not like what others enjoy. It’s crucial to ensure that people retain control. If our rooms start doing things we don’t want, they’ll stop being places we like to be.”