Finland’s Lahti Historical Museum takes visitors on a journey through time with its displays of 45,500 historical artifacts and records the lives of the elderly population currently living in the Päijät-Häme area of the country through photographs and interview projects. While most museums rely on visual storytelling, Lahti elevates the experience uses sound to immerse visitors in history.
The museum is housed within Lahti Manor, a striking 19th century residence well loved by the local community and which has been voted the most beautiful building in Lahti. Built by architect Hjalmar in 1898, it was home to much-loved local resident Captain August Fellman and his family before being turned into a museum in 1968 to showcase the cultural heritage of the region.
The recent installation of Genelec loudspeakers throughout the two-storey building was led by local system integrator Atea, whose team were asked to transform the way visitors interact with history by introducing high-quality audio to the exhibits. Unlike traditional educational environments, where information is often presented through static text panels, the Lahti Museum sought a multi-sensory approach to enhance the storytelling experience.
‘The museum’s curators specifically requested Genelec loudspeakers for this installation,’ says Atea Solutions Manager, Pirkka Kosola. ‘As a well-respected Finnish brand, Genelec was a natural choice. In our experience, all Genelec products are easy to install and configure, but for this project, we selected Smart IP models for their networking capabilities and because they come in a variety of colour options, allowing them to blend easily into the museum’s decor. Across the six rooms, we placed 55 compact 4420A loudspeakers along with three of the more powerful 4435A in-ceiling models.
‘Using Smart IP technology in historic buildings like this one saves us a lot of headaches,’ Kosola continues. ‘All of these loudspeakers use PoE, meaning we can have audio, power and control delivered over a single cable, simplifying installation enormously. It solves multiple challenges by allowing the loudspeakers to be independently controlled, enabling us to uniquely tailor the audio from each one. In addition, we built a custom UI for system control, which means that the reception desk has a few controls for volume adjustments and muting, but everything else is automated within the system. The result is evenly distributed sound that allows visitors to experience audio elements that feel organic to the space, rather than intrusive or artificial.’
Beyond enhancing the visitor experience, the partnership between the Lahti Historical Museum and Genelec represents a broader commitment to Finnish innovation. Genelec, founded in 1978, has built a reputation as a pioneer in professional audio solutions but its contribution to the museum goes beyond merely providing loudspeakers – the company’s commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with the museum’s historic reputation. Genelec prioritizes environmentally responsible manufacturing processes, using recycled materials and energy-efficient designs in its loudspeakers, and by incorporating this technology, the Lahti Historical Museum not only enhances its exhibits but also upholds a commitment to sustainable innovation.
‘This installation serves as a good example of how educational facilities can embrace modern technology without compromising authenticity,’ Kosola explains. ‘Exhibitions are designed to allow visitors to experience history by listening, instead of just passively observing artifacts. We worked with a company called OiOi who did an amazing job of creating custom audio tracks that really bring exhibitions to life. We are so grateful that the museum trusted us and our partner Torvinen Showtekniikka for this project.’
This collaborative approach offers a precedent to the future of museums worldwide. As audiences evolve and expectations shift, cultural institutions must find new ways to engage and educate. The Lahti Historical Museum demonstrates that sound can be a powerful tool in this endeavour, inviting a more immersive understanding of the past.