Candi Shop Lounge is an underground bar and nightclub set within the two basement levels of a hotel in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, surrounded by sensitive neighbors like the Park Hyatt, Saigon Opera House, and high-end F&B venues. Known for its powerful VOID sound system and vivid design, the venue needed to deliver a bold sound experience—without disturbing the peaceful environment above.
The client approached us with a clear concern: how to isolate the high-energy atmosphere inside without triggering noise complaints from nearby establishments. The challenge was heightened by the venue’s location within an existing concrete structure, where low-frequency transmission and structure-borne vibrations posed real risks to discretion and compliance.
With limited space and ongoing works already in motion, any acoustic solution had to be effective yet adaptable—preserving as much usable floor area as possible while aligning with the design vision.
Our engineers implemented a box-in-box acoustic system, decoupling the club structure from the surrounding building to contain both airborne and structure-borne sound. Given the tight layout, every centimeter counted—so we collaborated closely with the interior architects from NOOR Design to minimize the treatment thickness while achieving the required insulation performance.
We also helped the client reuse existing materials for parts of the acoustic system, optimizing both budget and sustainability. Despite the constraints, our team ensured that key noise pathways—floors, walls, and ceilings—were treated to reduce sound transmission, especially in low-frequency ranges that travel far and are hardest to block.
Today, Candi Shop Lounge operates confidently in its sensitive urban context, with music contained inside and minimal disturbance to surrounding buildings. The venue remains faithful to its bold identity, offering a rich and engaging sound experience for guests while meeting acoustic expectations for comfort and discretion.
This project highlights the value of introducing acoustic expertise during construction, even in complex retrofit scenarios. With the right coordination and technical know-how, noise control in bars can be addressed without compromising design or atmosphere.
