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The Rhythm of Place

Tom Baker, Founder of Splendid Sounds

When it comes to crafting environments people want to stay in, few understand atmosphere like Tom.

A DJ for some of the UK’s most high-profile and exclusive events and founder of Splendid Sounds, Tom has spent years thinking about how sound makes people feel – and how bad sound can quietly ruin an otherwise perfect space.

While his work centres on live events, his insights have direct relevance for placemakers, architects and designers shaping permanent environments. For Tom, atmosphere is both a science and an art, and sound is one of its most powerful tools.

People shouldn’t notice the music, but they will notice when it’s wrong.

Sound Is Architecture

Tom doesn’t see speakers as equipment; he sees them as part of the structure of a space. His core philosophy is simple: sound should be designed like lighting or furniture – intentionally, strategically and with the user in mind. He describes how poor sound setups – bad placement, cheap speakers or inconsistent volume – force guests to leave spaces early, talk loudly over each other or avoid certain areas altogether. These small acoustic failings ripple out into the whole experience.

I’d rather have ten small speakers playing quietly than two big ones blasting unevenly. Sound should wrap around you, not push you out.

The Three-Part Sound System

Tom is evangelical about getting the full sound spectrum right. Most venues, he says, miss the fundamentals:

• Subwoofers are needed for depth and warmth

• Mid-range for clarity of voice and melody

• Top speakers for sparkle and precision

He believes sound systems should disappear into the space, delivering a rich, balanced background that you don’t consciously notice – but emotionally respond to.

If people have to move to have a conversation, the sound design has failed.

Sound Masking and Acoustic Management

In one particularly inventive project, Tom used dome speakers playing natural sounds to mask the constant drone of nearby motorway traffic. It worked: the sound environment became calming and immersive.

He’s also passionate about the role of soft furnishings, textures and materials in shaping sound. Surfaces such as tiles and laminate reflect noise, creating echo chambers. Instead, he advocates for warm, absorbent materials – from real wood to upholstery – that help soften acoustics and create comfort.

Sound reflects off everything. You have to think about how materials catch it, hold it or bounce it.

Lighting and Sound Go Hand in Hand

Sound is only half the equation. Tom is equally insistent on the role of lighting in setting atmosphere. Too many venues, he says, flood their spaces with harsh, cold lighting that doesn’t flatter guests or encourage them to stay. Just like sound, lighting should be layered, responsive and sensitive to human behaviour.

Pin-spotting tables. Backlighting. Uplighting. These are the tricks that make a space feel intimate, elevated, calm.

Mood Matters More Than Music Choice

Tom is clear: background music should support a space, not dominate it. He warns against genres such as classical, where gaps in sound can feel awkward or expose environmental noise.

Instead, he recommends jazz, ambient soul or consistently layered instrumental music that provides emotional warmth and consistency without pulling focus.

The best music for atmosphere is the kind you don’t consciously hear but would miss if it stopped.

Designing for Demographics

Tom also emphasises the importance of knowing your audience when it comes to sound.

• Older demographics? Lower volume, more sound absorption, warmer lighting.

• Younger crowds? More tolerance for volume and dynamic shifts but still expect polish.

The key is calibration, not assumption

Designing the Full Guest Journey

What’s struck Tom most in his experience across events is how sound and atmosphere contribute to the overall journey, from the first moment guests enter to the moment they leave. If sound is off – too loud at the door, too quiet in key zones or unbalanced – the entire rhythm of the experience falters.

You can’t just focus on the centrepiece moment. Sound is like a thread – it carries people through the entire space.

Final Advice for Placemakers

Tom’s message to developers and designers is clear: invest in sound early. It’s not a luxury; it’s a foundational component of experience.

• Bring sound and lighting experts in at the vision stage.

• Choose materials with acoustic impact in mind.

• Design systems that match the scale and mood of the space.

• Don’t let tech dominate – let it disappear.

People stay where they feel good. And how it sounds is a big part of that.

Final Thoughts

Three Key Takeaways

1. Sound shapes how a space feels, even when unnoticed

People may not consciously register sound, but it defines comfort, mood and behaviour. Poor acoustics or audio quality can undermine eventhe best-designed environments.

2. Balance and distribution matter more than volume

Well-designed sound systems are subtle and consistent. Multiple low-level sources create a more natural and enjoyable atmosphere than loud, centralised setups.

3. Atmosphere is a combination of elements, not one discipline

Sound, lighting, materials and layout must work together. When treated in isolation, the experience feels disjointed. When aligned, the space feels intuitive and effortless.

To receive a copy of the Making Sense of Place report click here

Making Sense of Place

People come back when they feel they are being taken care of

Making Sense of Place

Let’s talk

The Rhythm of Place

Tom Baker, Founder of Splendid Sounds

Insights from
Tom Baker, Founder of Splendid Sounds

When it comes to crafting environments people want to stay in, few understand atmosphere like Tom.

Sound Is Architecture

The Three-Part Sound System

Sound Masking and Acoustic Management

Lighting and Sound Go Hand in Hand

Mood Matters More Than Music Choice

Designing for Demographics

Designing the Full Guest Journey

Final Advice for Placemakers

Final Thoughts

Three Key Takeaways

1. Sound shapes how a space feels, even when unnoticed

2. Balance and distribution matter more than volume

3. Atmosphere is a combination of elements, not one discipline

To receive a copy of the Making Sense of Place report click here

Related reports

People come back when they feel they are being taken care of

The Invisible Architecture of Scent

The Rhythm of Place

Tom Baker, Founder of Splendid Sounds

Insights fromTom Baker, Founder of Splendid Sounds

When it comes to crafting environments people want to stay in, few understand atmosphere like Tom.

Sound Is Architecture

The Three-Part Sound System

Sound Masking and Acoustic Management

Lighting and Sound Go Hand in Hand

Mood Matters More Than Music Choice

Designing for Demographics

Designing the Full Guest Journey

Final Advice for Placemakers

Final Thoughts

Three Key Takeaways

1. Sound shapes how a space feels, even when unnoticed

2. Balance and distribution matter more than volume

3. Atmosphere is a combination of elements, not one discipline

To receive a copy of the Making Sense of Place report click here

Related reports

People come back when they feel they are being taken care of

The Invisible Architecture of Scent

Insights from
Tom Baker, Founder of Splendid Sounds