AV Case Study: GSK Melbourne
Pharma giant, GSK, prioritises the wellness of its people, installs a Moodsonic system, and achieves the highest WELL certification.
27 August 2025
GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) has achieved a Platinum WELL Certification for its Melbourne headquarters, the highest level of recognition from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Going ‘Platinum’ requires advanced initiatives in air and water quality, circadian lighting, biophilic design, and inclusive design that supports neurodiverse staff.
One of the standout measures in this project was the deployment of Moodsonic generative soundscaping, represented exclusively in Australia by Valeo Technology.
We met on site with Valeo Technology Managing Director, Marcus Rose, who worked closely with GSK’s Director of Real Estate and Project Delivery, Arnald Ng:
“Valeo and Moodsonic worked closely with GSK’s consultants and architects to secure specific points in the Sound category,” noted Arnald Ng. “While also identifying additional opportunities to gain further points in other areas. As a result, along with other strategies GSK implemented, the Melbourne office actually achieved a Platinum rating, exceeding our original goal. This outcome has been invaluable for GSK, as we place real value on certifying our workplaces to the WELL Building Standard, a core part of our global employee wellness strategy.”
BEYOND SOUND MASKING
Unlike conventional sound masking or background music systems, Moodsonic takes a new approach: creating dynamic, generative soundscapes designed to reduce distraction, support focus, and enhance wellbeing. Each theme is tailored to the type of space, ensuring that sound complements the intended design and function. For example, collaborative spaces may use soundscaping designed with enhanced speech privacy, while restorative areas such as wellness or mother’s rooms feature themes created around calm and recovery.
Biophilic (nature-inspired) themes are a hallmark of Moodsonic’s extensive library, with many drawn from iconic locations around the world including Australian sites such as The Royal National Park, the Twelve Apostles, and Bondi Beach.
Bespoke installations can also be created to give workplaces a unique sense of place. One major corporate in Perth enjoys Rottnest Island-inspired soundscapes that mirror the circadian ebb and flow of the day. A recent client in Wollongong commissioned a fully customised Illawarra theme, evolving throughout the day with authentic local recordings, including indigenous content, designed to complement the interior environment.
Independent studies have shown these adaptive, nature-based soundscapes not only enhance wellbeing but also improve productivity and even foster collaboration in open-plan offices, tackling one of the most common challenges in modern workplace design.
Unlike static or looped tracks, Moodsonic’s soundscapes are generative, evolving in real time and mimicking the richness and variability of natural environments. They can reduce the intelligibility of speech when privacy is needed, but they also do much more: supporting circadian rhythms, creating a sense of place, and enriching overall workplace experience.
At GSK’s Melbourne HQ, 10 Moodsonic zones are distributed across open-plan offices, privacy pods, meeting rooms, and shared spaces. Each zone responds automatically to the type of space and its usage, curating soundscapes that balance energy, calm, and focus.
For example, the kitchen space carries a livelier ambience, while focus rooms are tuned for tranquillity. Importantly, the changes are subtle, natural, and not overwhelming.
Arnald Ng recalls how Moodsonic was also able to bring cultural and social meaning into the workplace:
“Outside of the standard Moodsonic themes (of which there are many to suit different spaces) GSK had a senior manager request a specifically designed theme with more upbeat sounds for use in our lobby areas on certain days and times. We also celebrate many different cultures throughout the year, including Diwali. On request, Valeo and Moodsonic created custom-built themes for both the lobby music and these cultural celebrations, which have been extremely well received by our staff.”
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While sound masking might be an obvious choice for boosting privacy and productivity, Moodsonic goes several steps further
THE SCIENCE IS IN
Moodsonic is grounded in scientific research, not ‘new-age’ guesswork. Peer-reviewed studies show that natural soundscapes reduce stress, improve cognitive performance, and support positive mood.
At GSK, long-term studies have demonstrated clear benefits: staff report improved focus, reduced distraction, and greater sense of calm. Interestingly, in open office environments, Moodsonic has even been observed to increase collaboration, addressing one of the original promises of open-plan design that too often backfires due to noise distraction.
The system’s impact is immediate and tangible. As Marcus Rose puts it, sometimes the most effective demonstration is the simplest:
“Turn it off. Simply turn off Moodsonic in that office environment and listen to what your brain is telling you, instantly you become more aware of colleague’s conversations (as you do when any sound masking system is deactivated), and quickly you feel a physical response… your shoulders might begin to tighten, or you feel a heightened sense of vigilance… responses that provoke stress and make you less productive. Don’t worry, we’ll turn the Moodsonic system back on. Hey presto, you begin to relax and focus once more.”
BOSE PRO CONNECTION
From an installation perspective, GSK Melbourne’s Moodsonic system relies on precise integration of amplification and loudspeaker technology to deliver immersive yet unobtrusive soundscaping. Each Moodsonic sound generator (SG) provides stereo outputs for multiple workplace zones, with the latest Moodsonic SG300 series capable of supporting up to 28 channels from a single rack unit device. At GSK, these stereo outputs feed into Bose Professional PowerShare PS404D four-channel Dante-enabled amplifiers. Two amplifier channels power each Moodsonic zone, running in high-impedance balanced audio for left and right distribution. In total, 10 Moodsonic zones are delivered across the project using this approach.
For loudspeakers, the project team drew on the breadth of the Bose Professional portfolio to ensure consistency and coverage across different types of spaces. The FreeSpace FS2C in-ceiling loudspeakers handled most of the audio coverage, providing discreet and evenly dispersed audio across open office zones. In higher ceiling areas, FreeSpace FS2P pendant loudspeakers extend the same clarity and warmth while maintaining uniform levels. The result is a system where no single speaker is doing all the work, instead, each product is chosen for the role it performs best.
“We’ve partnered with Bose Professional on several projects,” explains Marcus Rose. “One of our top selection criteria is coverage – we can’t afford dead spots. Bose Professional’s speakers have great dispersion and sound quality, plus the brand is well recognised and trusted by customers. In this project, we used FreeSpace ceiling and pendant speakers. In other projects we’ve used DesignMax series where they’ve had to switch between background music and Moodsonic duties. We’ve even used EdgeMax speakers for controlled sound projection in awkward locations. Each speaker in the Bose Professional range serves a different purpose and all have performed fantastically. It’s worth noting that Bose Professional’s distributor Wesco Anixter were also of great assistance, providing EASE models of the GSK space to demonstrate coverage. Having local support from Wesco Anixter has been invaluable.”
ACTIVITY & OCCUPANCY DATA
Beyond installation, Moodsonic also provided GSK with the Moodsonic acoustic insights application, giving building managers valuable data on how spaces are being used, with a focus on sound and activity levels. Sensors capture metrics such as sound pressure and activity, offering a deeper understanding of space utilisation beyond simple occupancy counts. This data not only drives the generative engine in each zone but is also extracted and visualised for reporting and analysis. The platform can integrate with other building management systems, creating a holistic view of how spaces function and helping organisations optimise workplaces for wellbeing and productivity.
The web app gives facilities teams easy control, allowing them to monitor zones, adjust themes, and access usage data in real time. Together, these tools make it simple to manage and evidence the impact of soundscaping on workplace experience.
SUPPORTING WELL PLATINUM
GSK’s London headquarters is often referred to as “the healthiest building in the world” and set the precedent for wellbeing-led workplaces across the organisation. The Melbourne HQ followed that path, originally targeting WELL Gold before pushing higher.
Components like Moodsonic helped make the difference.
“We contribute to WELL certification in several ways,” says Marcus Rose, Managing Director at Valeo Technology. “One key feature is SO6, which covers minimum background noise. Many spaces are acoustically treated so well that sound levels drop too low. We raise that level subtly, similar to sound masking but dynamic and biophilic.”
For WELL’s C21 multi-sensory experiences feature, Moodsonic’s natural soundscapes integrate with visual design elements. One example is a bespoke Indigenous-themed soundscape for a client in Wollongong, inspired by the local ‘Five Islands’ area and paired with matching foyer artwork.
In the GSK office, soundscapes also ensure circulation areas meet the WELL benchmark of 42–45dB, and focus rooms stay above 40dB to avoid the ‘claustrophobic’ feel of silence.
“At Platinum level, extra points are hard to get,” says Rose. “It’s these fine details that keep the standard high and it’s a process you have to pass every year.”
NATURE OF THE FUTURE
Investing in adaptive, nature-based soundscaping is about more than noise control. It’s about creating workplaces that enhance wellbeing, support different working styles, and reflect cultural values. Moodsonic achieves this through curated sensory experiences that balance stimulation and calm across the workday.
As Arnald Ng concludes: “We’ve received feedback from staff that nature sounds help improve their mood. Interestingly, when we turn off the sounds during our weekly IPTC meetings, people notice the difference. They become more aware of surrounding noises and distractions, which affect their focus. The soundscape not only enhances wellbeing but also helps mask background disturbances, such as conversations, making it easier for everyone to concentrate.”
Wesco Anixter: wesco.com/proav-apac
Valeo Technology: valeotechnology.com/moodsonic
Moodsonic: moodsonic.com
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