SoundTube Creates an Immersive Audio Journey for India’s Premier Design Destination.
All photos courtesy of Hashim Badani for Nilaya Anthology
A New Kind of Design Space
Nilaya Anthology, developed by Asian Paints, is more than a store. It is a living, breathing design destination in the heart of Mumbai, where architects, professionals and design lovers immerse themselves in creativity. From concept rooms to cultural showcases, every detail was crafted to inspire. For this project, sound was not an afterthought. It was central to how visitors would experience the space.
The Audio Vision
To achieve the right balance between atmosphere and engagement, consultant Munro Acoustics, in partnership with integrator Innovative Systems & Solutions (P) Ltd. (ISSPL), designed a system that could flex between two modes: delivering ambient music to set the mood and providing clear, localized audio for video displays. The system also had to blend into the architecture and connect seamlessly across multiple zones.
“We knew audio had to work as a layer of design here. It could not just be functional,” said Utkarsh Naidu, TechFlow Consultant, Munro Acoustics. “SoundTube stood out because the speakers disappear visually but make the space come alive sonically. That balance was exactly what Nilaya Anthology needed.”
The SoundTube Solution
From the early design stages, SoundTube Entertainment® products were written into the project. The installation combined in-ceiling, surface-mount, and landscape speakers, all supported by SoundTube’s Dante-enabled IPD line for audio over Ethernet distribution.
At the core of the installation, the IPD-Hub2 and IPD-EXT BOX extended Dante and PoE connectivity across zones. This allowed audio sources to be routed over Ethernet with minimal cabling, while ensuring synchronized and flexible audio distribution. Integrated with Q-SYS processors, the system handled both music and video audio streams, with local adjustments made through SoundTube RVC controls.
Blending Sound with Space
Inside the galleries, CM42-EZS-II ceiling speakers delivered smooth, evenly distributed audio that blended seamlessly into the architecture. Outdoors, the Rockustics OmniPlanter 8.0-GG units doubled as planters while delivering natural, high-quality sound across landscaped courtyards.
The Result
The final installation created a sonic journey through Nilaya Anthology. Visitors move from one space to another with sound that shifts effortlessly, from ambient music in some areas to video playback in others, extending naturally into outdoor courtyards. The system feels invisible, yet its impact is unforgettable.
“What I love most is how natural it feels,” Naidu reflected. “The technology is sophisticated, but visitors do not notice the system. They notice the experience. That’s when you know audio is doing its job.”
