Opened in 2013 as Blackbird Studios, Soundfabrik Berlin has long been a hub for musicians, producers and audio professionals. Occupying 400sq-m of the top floor of a historic factory building, the studio has completed a major renovation and expansion with the assistance of architectural acoustic consulting, design and media systems engineering firm, WSDG.
The renovation includes the addition of a new Studio B – a compact, sophisticated space optimised for immersive Dolby Atmos audio production.
Located in Berlin-Charlottenburg, the facility was acquired by musicians and entrepreneurs Guilherme Castelhano and Julia Selbherr Castelhano in 2022. Upon taking ownership, who began envisioned transforming the space into a comprehensive creative environment for production, songwriting and recording.
With a reputation for professional services in recording, mixing and mastering, Soundfabrik has since grown into a high-profile facility, attracting clients including Deutsche Grammophon, Sony Music and Universal Music, as well as artists Snarky Puppy, Lena Meyer-Landrut and Michael Wollny.
Recognising the potential for further expansion, the couple approached WSDG to assist with designing Studio B, an additional production space within Soundfabrik Berlin. WSDG’s role included providing expertise in structural acoustics, sound isolation and room acoustics for the renovation, which was aimed at balancing artistic vision with technical precision.
The newly added Studio B features a room-within-room design, optimised for Dolby Atmos mixing and immersive audio production. With ATC main monitors and an Eve Audio Dolby Atmos system, the room delivers a high-fidelity audio experience that allows artists to create with precision.
A major design goal was preserving the aesthetic integrity of the historic space, so translucent glass walls were retained, while advanced acoustic treatments and sound isolation techniques were integrated. The design also accounted for the compact size of the room, ensuring that every detail – from the decoupled gypsum structure to the custom acoustic panels – contributed to its acoustic performance.
‘It was a pleasure working with WSDG,’ Castelhano says. ‘Dirk Noy [Partner, General Manager Europe, WSDG] and his team understood my ideas right away. They are not only experts in acoustics, but they really listened to what I wanted to achieve.
‘The acoustic design is precise, and the results speak for themselves. Studio B sounds incredible, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how well the space has turned out.
‘One of the things we focused on was making sure that every aspect of the space felt comfortable. As musicians ourselves, Julia and I know that an inspiring environment is crucial for creativity. Studio B offers an intimate, immersive space where artists can truly focus on their craft, and it’s been fantastic seeing the reactions from everyone who’s worked there.’
Despite post-Civid material shortages and cost surges, the renovation progressed smoothly, thanks to the team’s careful planning and collaboration. Key team members from WSDG, including Gabriel Hauser, Partner and Director of Acoustics, and Tobias Behrens, Partner, Senior Consultant, Authorized Officer at ADA AMC (a WSDG company), played roles in ensuring the technical execution met the highest standards.
On top of the studio’s acoustic design, WSDG’s scope of work also included site supervision, overseeing construction and initial acoustic measurements. The project also benefited from the expertise of system integrator Florian Strucken, owner and CEO at AVS Medientechnik, who contributed to the set-up of the studio’s audio and networking infrastructure.
Soundfabrik Berlin now includes two world-class production spaces. Studio A remains a versatile environment for live recording, featuring a 100sq-m live room, a Steinway D grand piano, and a Neve Genesys Black 32 console. Meanwhile, the addition of Studio B enhances the studio’s ability to cater to modern audio production needs, making it a standout facility for both established and emerging talents.
‘Our goal is to make artists feel at home. People often tell us that the space feels cosy, and that’s something I’m very proud of,’ Castelhano says. ‘When musicians are comfortable, they can truly be creative. That’s the essence of what we wanted to achieve with Soundfabrik. Our focus has always been on providing not just a top-tier professional environment, but also a place where musicians and producers feel at ease. The studio’s success is a reflection of this – it’s a space that fosters creativity while delivering the highest audio quality.’
‘This project was an exciting challenge, balancing creative vision with technical precision,’ Noy says. ‘The studio now offers a unique environment where artists feel truly welcome, with acoustics that provide the perfect harmony between inspiration and production.’
More: www.wsdg.com
