The library thus moves away from being only a place for consultation and silence and becomes a space that supports, regulates and prepares people to engage with knowledge at their own pace and according to their needs. In addition, the space is open to the community: medical-social centres, professionals and families can use it for sensory stimulation and workshops, strengthening the library’s role as a shared public resource.

How does the library environment affect how people access culture?

The environment plays a key role in how people engage with culture. Imagine a space defined by reading in strict silence, tension and a cold atmosphere—conditions that may support concentration for some, but make it harder for others to relax, focus or feel welcome. This raises an important question: how can libraries support different ways of engaging with culture without losing their identity?

Integrating a multisensory room into a library does not mean changing its identity, but expanding it: incorporating experiences that prepare, accompany and enrich the relationship with cultural content.

Not everyone accesses knowledge through traditional reading, nor with the same levels of attention or sensory tolerance. Let us think, for example, of a person with autism. For them, a conventional library can be challenging: difficulty concentrating, filtering environmental stimuli and sustaining attention over time. A multisensory space within the library offers a controlled, predictable and adaptable environment where the person can self-regulate, feel safe and prepare to access other cultural activities within the same centre.

What elements are included in the multisensory space at Le Bélieu?

The multisensory space at Le Bélieu integrates Qinera’s SHX technology. This system allows all the elements in the room— vibroacoustic stimulation, projections, lighting, sound and other sensory effects—to be synchronised at the same time, creating immersive sensory scenes that can recreate real environments such as a forest, the ocean or other settings. These scenarios can be adapted to different moments, activities and individual needs.

One of the key values of this technology lies in how people can interact with the space. Different control systems—such as Button 1, Button 6 and interactive dice—enable users to engage with the environment according to their own mode of access. Through these controllers, users can change the colour or intensity of the bubble tube and fiber optics, launch sensory scenes, learn through play, or create simple games using other sensory elements such as ultraviolet light.

This capacity for interaction gives users a sense of agency and control over the space, turning them from passive observers into active participants. It also opens up new cultural possibilities: storytelling through projections, playful learning experiences, and moments of calm and exploration that respond to the people using the room.

Benefits of integrating multisensory stimulation in a library

1. A different and immersive way of learning
In a multisensory room, learning happens through experiences in which users actively interact with the environment—its colours, sounds, projections and sensory elements. This stimulates curiosity, exploration and participation, allowing people to learn in ways that go beyond traditional reading or listening.

2. Preparing people to read, learn and participate
By reducing sensory overload and creating a calmer atmosphere, multisensory environments help people focus, pay attention and engage more easily with reading and learning activities.

3. Activation when engagement and energy are needed
Beyond calm, multisensory spaces can also activate the senses when more energy is needed. Light, sound, movement and interaction help spark motivation and engagement, supporting learning and participation in a more dynamic way.

4. Storytelling through audiovisual contents
The multisensory space transforms storytelling into an immersive and interactive activity. Stories are told through projections, and as the narrative unfolds, the colours, sounds, vibrations and different elements of the room change in sync with what is happening. Using simple controllers, users can interact directly with the story to move it forward, allowing children to engage actively with the space and strengthening comprehension, imagination and emotional connection.

5. Designed for different users and needs
The multisensory room is designed to adapt to different users, ages and situations. Qinera’s SHX technology includes a library of content created by therapists and professionals and allows new content to be added, making it possible to tailor each experience to specific needs.

• For babies and young children, the space offers a safe and engaging environment for sensory exploration and early development. Through light, sound and simple interactions, children can explore cause-and-effect, build sensory awareness, awaken curiosity and begin to connect with stories and learning in a natural, playful way.
• For people with autism or cognitive disabilities, the multisensory room provides a predictable, adaptable and controllable environment that feels safe and not overwhelming. 
• For teenagers, university students and adults, the space can also function as a place for regulation, stress relief and group activities. It offers a supportive environment to disconnect, lower stress levels or take part in collaborative experiences.
• For families it offers a space to spend quality time together, engaging in stories, sensory exploration and moments of calm without pressure or rigid rules. 
• For professionals and other centres, the space can also be used for guided sessions, workshops and group activities, extending the library’s role as a cultural and community resource.

Towards more human and inclusive libraries

Le Bélieu shows that it is possible to innovate in cultural spaces without losing their essence. By integrating a multisensory space, the library has created a model that can be replicated in other libraries and institutions, while allowing more people to access, participate in and experience culture in ways that are more welcoming and aligned with their own needs.

👉 This project was made possible thanks to ArchiZenco, our partner in France, whose collaboration was key to bringing this multisensory space to life.

Free Project Design

If you want to learn more about the benefits of Multisensory Environments or see how you could adapt it to your space, therapeutic goals, and users, you can send an email to hello@qinera.com.

L'entrada Where culture and learning become an experience ha aparegut primer a The Multisensory Blog.

Control an SHX sensory room with the Sensory Cube

The Sensory Cube is a wireless controller that turns interaction into something intuitive and playful. It allows users to activate and control different elements of the space, either individually or simultaneously. Imagine changing the colors of your sensory room lighting simply by rolling a dice. Each face of the cube can be customised with an image, making it easy to design unique sensory sessions and adapt activities to different goals, users, or moments.

Changing the colors of your Luminea devices has never been so fun and educational. This interaction supports the development of skills such as cause-and-effect understanding, joint attention, and fine motor skills.

With the Sensory Cube, you simply roll the cube and watch as the colors of your Luminea lighting devices change. Your bubble tube, fiber optics, ball pool, and LED lights can all light up according to the color shown on the cube. The experience can be further enriched by combining it with the Luminea App, opening up even more possibilities for sensory stimulation and play.

Users actively engage in this immersive experience, encouraging skills such as choice-making, memory, and communication.

Interaction through movement with the Sensory Step 

The Sensory Step is a wireless, color-coded mat that gives you full control of your multisensory room. Like the Sensory Cube, it allows users to control Luminea devices individually or change the audiovisual scenes included in the SHX System.

This mat is ideal for those looking for a simple and versatile setup. Imagine changing the lighting colors with a single step or transforming the room into a new themed environment just by stepping on the mat.

Step on yellow to change the colors of the bubble tube, jump on red to switch the fiber optics or ball pool. Interaction with the Sensory Step places users at the center of the experience, encouraging active participation in sensory stimulation and supporting learning and development.

The Sensory Step allows you to control your multisensory environment using your feet. Simply step on one of the colored buttons and transform the entire room into a new themed environment. Images, videos, sounds, vibrations, and other immersive effects can be triggered just by stepping on the mat—promoting active engagement and the development of social skills, among others.

Bring objects to life with SHX Proximity

SHX Proximity offers an innovative way to interact within a multisensory room. This technology allows real objects to be used to modify the environment and transform the room into a themed space directly linked to those objects.

Simply place any object on the SHX Proximity tray and watch as the entire room comes to life with lighting, images, sounds, vibrations, and more.

SHX Proximity is very easy to use. The system includes cards and stickers that can be programmed to trigger SHX content. Each card or sticker can be customized and linked to specific scenes or activities.

Once the programmed object is placed on the tray, the room delivers the immersive experience you have assigned.

Explore multisensory spaces through objects with the Magic Table

The Magic Table is another exciting way to interact within a multisensory room. By using real objects, users can transform the entire space into a themed environment connected to what they place on the table.

Simply place an object on the Magic Table and the room comes alive. Lights, images, sounds, music, vibrations, and other multisensory effects activate together, creating a fully immersive experience. An object can instantly transport users to the jungle, space, the sea, or any environment you choose.

The system is fully customizable, allowing you to create your own thematic environments using personal images, videos, and sounds.

It also opens up valuable therapeutic and educational opportunities. By associating everyday objects—such as toys, pictures, materials, or cards—with multisensory content, it supports attention, interaction, memory, cause-and-effect understanding, and communication.

Easy to configure and fully integrated into the SHX System, the Magic Table combines tangible interaction with immersive technology to create meaningful, engaging sensory experiences.

Experience control with Button 6

Button 6 is a versatile controller with six buttons that makes interaction with multisensory room elements simple and intuitive.

By touching different buttons, users can activate and change sensory elements such as lighting, colors, or effects, either individually or across the whole room.

It can be used both with Luminea lighting devices and as a controller for the SHX System allowing sessions to be adapted to different needs and objectives. Its flexible configuration makes it easy to adjust how the environment responds, supporting clear, accessible, and meaningful interaction.

With Button 6, users gain precise and adaptable control over the sensory space, encouraging participation and cause-and-effect understanding.

In summary

There are multiple control methods that make it possible to interact with an SHX Sensory Room in meaningful and accessible ways. By adapting how people engage with the space, these tools support learning, communication, and sensory regulation across a wide range of needs.

Free Project Design

If you want to learn more about the benefits of Multisensory Environments or see how you could adapt it to your space, therapeutic goals, and users, you can send an email to hello@qinera.com.

L'entrada How can I control a Multisensory Room? ha aparegut primer a The Multisensory Blog.

Waiting before surgery is a delicate moment. People arrive with a mix of emotions: fear, anxiety, nervousness, fatigue… and in some cases, also pain. Added to this are uncertainty, uncomfortable silence, and incessant thoughts. Emotions are heightened, and the body responds with tension. All this discomfort negatively impacts how the process is experienced.

In this context, the environment can have a significant impact. If the space is cold, impersonal, or noisy, as often happens in hospitals, the discomfort intensifies, and the wait becomes even more difficult.

Faced with this scenario, many hospitals are seeking new ways to emotionally support patients and make this moment more bearable. A great ally to achieve this can be the environment, particularly a multisensory environment designed with therapeutic intent and emotional care.

This is the case at Hôpital Privé du Confluent in Nantes, France, which transformed two of its outpatient surgery waiting rooms into multisensory environments.

Spaces that regulate, soothe, and support

The project, developed in collaboration with our partner ArchiZenco, had a clear goal: to turn these spaces into multisensory environments that help reduce anxiety, create a sense of calm, and improve the emotional well-being of patients before a surgical procedure.

In this way, the environment supports the patient and surrounds them with a pleasant atmosphere, rather than adding more stress—helping each person prepare emotionally for what’s ahead. It’s not the same to wait in an impersonal, distant space as it is to wait in one that embraces you, invites you to breathe, and reconnect with yourself.

To achieve this, the Nantes hospital integrated our multisensory technology to transform these areas into sensory regulation experiences—creating an environment that cares, calms, and accompanies patients during one of the most delicate moments of their hospital journey.

What does a preoperative multisensory room include?

At the Hôpital Privé du Confluent, the aim was to ease the emotional load and offer a more gentle, human-centered experience. To do so, the hospital redesigned its preoperative waiting rooms in the following ways:

1. The typical bright white hospital lighting was replaced with warm, diffused lighting—designed to lower arousal levels and reduce sensory overload. This softer light helps create a calm atmosphere that invites rest and disconnection.
2. The visual setting was also reimagined. Cold or neutral colors were replaced with soft tones, and carefully chosen decorative elements were added to convey warmth, closeness, and a sense of welcome. Every detail—from the walls to the materials—was intentionally selected to break away from the usual coldness of clinical spaces.
3. Multisensory devices were also integrated into each room, using Qinera’s technology. These include bubble tubes with their own light and vibration features, designed to create a soothing and immersive environment. Through visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli, these elements provide relaxing experiences specifically intended to reduce anxiety, support emotional regulation, and accompany the patient during a highly sensitive moment. The result is a space that not only transforms the perception of the hospital environment but also actively contributes to the patient’s emotional well-being. This device became the visual and sensory centerpiece of the room: its gentle lights, the soft bubbling sounds, and its continuous movement invite the gaze to settle, the breath to slow, and the heart to find a new rhythm.

Hospital waiting room – Before the ArchiZenco and Qinera project

Hospital waiting room – After the ArchiZenco and Qinera project

With Qinera’s bubble tubes, it’s possible to create environments where light, vibration, reflection, and interactivity open up a world of possibilities. They stimulate visual tracking, play, and mindfulness. And above all, they allow the person to connect with something simple, repetitive, and deeply calming.

In the hospital’s waiting room, the tube becomes an anchor point. One bubble rises. Another falls. The tube vibrates gently. A soft melody whispers. Attention, previously caught in fear or anxiety, shifts toward a calm, steady stimulus. A comforting space opens up—one that quiets the mind and brings a sense of peace.

What is a multisensory room in a hospital?

Qinera’s multisensory environments are spaces where light, sound, vibration, and other stimuli are harmoniously combined to create controlled sensory experiences. Designed to be physically and cognitively accessible and pleasant, these spaces invite people to reconnect with themselves, regulate their emotions, and positively engage their senses.

Multisensory rooms can serve a wide range of purposes: therapeutic, educational, developmental, recreational, or simply for overall well-being. Thanks to versatile elements like bubble tubes, fiber optics, image projections, or immersive music, it’s possible to create environments tailored to each person, each moment, and each specific need.

In hospitals, a multisensory room might be used in:

• A pre-surgery context, to reduce anxiety, generate calm, and provide emotional support for the patient.
• A labour room, to help mothers relax, breathe, and go through the process with greater serenity.
• In waiting areas, to make the wait more bearable and offer emotional comfort to both patients and their families.
• Or even in an Intensive Care Unit—as is the case at Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge in Barcelona, Spain, which has installed 70 multisensory boxes in its ICU to support patients’ circadian rhythms, reduce polypharmacy, and alleviate post-ICU syndrome, among other benefits—marking a global milestone.👉 Read the article about the Bellvitge hospital case

This project in Nantes reflects how, through a combination of design and technology, it’s possible to transform cold medical environments into more human places.  Because small stimuli, like a warm light, a moving bubble, or a soft melody, can have a profound impact on how a person experiences that waiting moment or any other sensitive situation within a hospital.

More and more hospitals are beginning to transform their spaces and incorporate emotional well-being as an essential part of care.

💜 Thanks to our partner in France for continuing to bring multisensory technology to the spaces where it’s most needed.

Free Project Design

If you want to learn more about the benefits of Multisensory Environments or see how you could adapt it to your space, therapeutic goals, and users, you can send an email to hello@qinera.com.

L'entrada From anxiety to calm: transforming pre-surgical waiting with multisensory technology ha aparegut primer a The Multisensory Blog.