The Urban Listening Room: Listening session - Build in process

Led by Charlie Dark MBE (Run Dem Sound), the session unfolds as a guided, collective listening experience. Rather than presenting a finished system, the sound system is brought into conversation with the space and its listeners—exploring how sound is shaped through materials, space, and shared presence.

This session emerges from a two-day workshop led by designer and creative technologist David Chen, where a small group of participants prototype and test a sound system in process. On the evening of 15 May, this development opens to the public.

The evening will move through ambient and instrumental selections, with contributions reflecting on the cultural, technical, and spatial dimensions of sound system practice. Structured as a listening environment rather than a performance, it invites audiences to experience sound as something formed and shared in real time.

A drinks reception with vinyl will follow.

This event will be documented through photography, video, and audio recording for research, reporting, and future public outputs.

By registering for and attending the event, you consent to being included in this documentation.

If you have any questions or concerns, or would prefer not to be recorded, please contact Dana Sousa-Limbu via email ()

is an emerging product designer and creative technologist based in London. Having recently completed a Master’s in Design Engineering at Imperial College, he is developing an interdisciplinary practice at the intersection of DJ culture and design engineering, exploring how sound systems can be designed, built, and experienced as both technical and cultural forms.

is a DJ, cultural activist, and founder of Run Dem Crew, an internationally recognised running collective that has reshaped how communities gather through movement and music. With decades of experience in sound system culture, broadcasting, and public engagement, his work centres on collective wellbeing, cultural connection, and creating spaces for people to come together through sound.

is a cultural producer and founder of ECHOS MONDE, a creative practice working across events production, practice-based research, and cultural consultancy. Her work explores sound as something collectively produced and spatially experienced, bringing together public programming, documentary, and listening-based formats. She leads The Urban Listening Room at UCL East, where these ideas are developed through sound system culture, collaborative making, and live listening sessions.

This event is supported by UCL Grand Challenges x ChangeMakers, the Bartlett School of Architecture Just Environments Incubator Fund, and the UCL East Community Engagement Seed Fund.

Image credit: Sound system and vinyl record drawing by Dana Sousa-Limbu.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

UCL Urban Room, 1 Pool Street, London, United Kingdom

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