National Institute for Early Child Development and Inclusion

Project: National Institute for Early Child Development and Inclusion

Segment: Education

Country/city: Serbia, Belgrade

Architect: Katarina Nešković Ing. Arch., D.A. Dizajnarhitektura

Installer: Jadran D.O.O. Beograd

Photographer: Aleksandar Zjača

Project size: 17,000m²

Production year: 2024/2025

Designing a calm and supportive environment for sensitive children

From the outset, this project was guided by a clear ambition: to create an environment where children with complex developmental needs feel safe, supported, and able to engage with the world around them.

As many of these children are highly sensitive to sound, acoustics became a fundamental design element in creating a calm and inclusive atmosphere.

A coherent acoustic concept

The solution was developed as a cohesive acoustic concept, where every surface contributes to reducing stress and improving communication. In the central play areas, floating Ecophon Solo™ Freedom units, shaped as leaves,  provide effective sound absorption while introducing a sense of lightness. This allows the space to remain open and playful while controlling noise levels.

This approach is reinforced throughout the building with carefully integrated acoustic finishes that prevent sound from travelling and building up, ensuring a consistent and predictable environment.

Clarity across all spaces

Walls and ceilings work together to create clarity and comfort. Ecophon Akusto™ Wall C Super G panels with UV print add both durability and visual softness, while ceiling absorbers such as Ecophon Solo™ Cloud and Ecophon Solo™ Rectangle panels enhance speech intelligibility across therapy and activity areas.

In parallel, most curved corridor walls were treated with Ecophon Clipso™ So Acoustic with printed finishes, combining acoustic performance with subtle visual guidance. This supports orientation without causing overstimulation.

Spaces for meetings and collaboration were designed with the same attention to detail. Ecophon Focus™ Lp and Ecophon Focus™ Ds ceiling systems work together with Ecophon Akusto™ One wall panels to ensure balanced acoustics and clear, undisturbed communication.

The pool area introduced an additional layer of complexity, where high humidity and hard surfaces typically create challenging acoustic conditions. Here, a combination of Ecophon Hygiene Clinic™ A and Clipso So Acoustic ensures both durability and effective sound absorption. This reduces reverberation and noise build-up, creating a calmer and more comfortable atmosphere that supports therapy and sensory activities in the water.

Even technical areas were included in the overall strategy. In the basement climate room, Ecophon Industry™ Modus was installed in a T24 grid to control noise at its source and prevent disruption to the sensitive environments above.

A calm environment that supports daily activities

The result is a unified sound environment that quietly supports every activity within the building. By reducing noise, improving clarity, and creating a sense of calm, the project shows how thoughtful acoustic design can make a meaningful difference – especially for those who need it most.