Klangdom, Klangwelt Toggenburg

Klangwelt Toggenburg is a cultural centre in the Swiss Alps offering a unique blend of architecture, nature and sound. The latest addition – the Peter Roth Resonance Centre (Resonanzzentrum) – features Switzerland’s first sound dome, the Klangdom. Designed as a dedicated listening space, the Klangdom guides visitors through the relationship between sound and nature. To achieve a truly immersive auditory experience, the sound dome required a high-performance sound system to translate 3D recordings and spatial compositions into an immersive sonic environment. The project was spearheaded by audio design and integration specialists, Idee und Klang, alongside freelance audio engineer Arev Imer.

Due to the extraordinary nature of the concept, designing and installing a sound system capable of adapting to different soundscapes and events presented several challenges. The dome itself consists of three metal rings that can be mechanically adjusted to create optimal listening experiences, whether visitors are sitting, standing, or lying down. Therefore, the audio solution needed to be highly flexible and precisely controlled, while seamlessly integrating with the natural aesthetic of the Klangdom.

For loudspeakers, Idee und Klang’s Sound Scenographer, Ramon de Marco, specified Genelec’s Smart IP series due to their combination of studio-grade sound quality, networked control, and enduring reliability. A total of thirty-three 4430 Smart IP loudspeakers were mounted onto the metal rings: eight on the top and bottom rings, sixteen on the middle ring, and one central “Voice of God” loudspeaker flown from the top of the dome. A Dynaudio Core Sub was also deployed to handle the low-frequency reinforcement and effects.

Thanks to the single-cable setup of the Smart IP range, power, audio and control were delivered via a single CAT6 cable, connecting all three rings of loudspeakers to a NETGEAR M4250 AV switch, with local distribution handled by Ubiquiti USW-Ultra PoE switches. With the rings offering limited cable access, the single-cable network-based infrastructure ensured that the installation remained visually discreet and preserved the architectural integrity of the dome.

On each ring, loudspeakers were grouped into small hubs, each delivering a distinct layer of audio that combines to form a fully immersive soundscape within the dome. Using Dante Controller and Virtual Soundcard, the loudspeakers were identified, named, and routed with help from Genelec’s Smart IP Manager software for a flat frequency response to complement the room’s acoustic treatment. Each channel of audio can be controlled individually, either using pre-rendered content or through a flexible production workflow using the DAW Reaper.

The Klangdom marks a new chapter for Klangwelt Toggenburg, opening up an entirely new dimension of immersive listening experiences. The combination of geometric design and mechanical flexibility allows the sound dome to function as both a precise immersive instrument and a versatile performance space. Visitors are invited to embark on an exploration of sound, from a poetic introduction of soundscapes and acoustic ecology, to celebrations of natural music, overtone singing, and experimental spatial compositions.

Welcoming visitors from around the world, the Klangdom serves as not only an audio experience, but as a cultural hub where guests can connect with each other and the natural world around them. Free from everyday distractions, the dome highlights listening as an embodied and collective act, where the architecture itself becomes the instrument and sound is a bridge between people, culture, and environment.

The combined expertise of Idee und Klang and Arev Imer resulted in a system that can be used for spatial compositions, generative ambisonic soundscapes, and specially commissioned works that explore the art of listening. Their involvement – from concept to completion – allowed the architecture, aesthetics, and acoustics to come together with exceptional technical precision.

During the grand opening, visitors were captivated by the clarity, depth and spatial accuracy of the sound system. Combined with breathtaking views of the Toggenburg valley and the architectural elegance of the Klangdom, the installation creates a fascinating listening environment, with the integration of Smart IP loudspeakers delivering a sonic experience like no other.