Free Public Immersive Experience launches in UK to bring calm to commuters

Opening to the public in central London on 25th July, 2022, immersive experience company Pixel Artworks has designed and created a world first mindfulness experience called ‘Room to Breathe’ that’s free to attend.

Media are invited to an exclusive preview on Thursday 21 July, ahead of its official opening.

Located in Outernet London – a brand-new immersive culture, media and music district in the capital – this soothing sensory experience is based on the science of ‘box-breathing’ and has been developed in conjunction with a leading UK trauma and anxiety consultant. It aims to help anxious commuters and busy people in the city unwind and catch their breath throughout the day – for free!

Jayne Cox, a leading trauma and anxiety consultant fed into the experience using her knowledge of ‘box breathing’. Accompanying the visual cues of rolling clouds, calm skies and the sun, all which expand and contract like a rib cage breathing in and out, there is original music written by Matthew Wilcock. The sounds guide commuters to breathe in, hold, and then breathe out using a four-second breathing technique. The music slowly moves from acoustic piano through to more organic synthesized tones to help people settle into the calming breath pattern. A digital plaque situated in the space will provide guidance on how to use the experience.

Jayne Cox comments: “Anxiety and stress can change the way we breathe, with our breath often becoming rapid and shallow, therefore resulting in heightened anxiety. Learning and regularly implementing a simple breathing technique reduces anxiety by helping us have more control over our breath. Once learnt, these techniques can support us anywhere, whether we are on the move or at home.”

Matthew Wilcock adds: “The Room to Breathe music was written as a response to the 4×4 breathing technique giving people a rhythm to breathe to and an emotion to help settle and meditate.”
The unique immersive mindfulness experience will be showing at 11am-12pm, 2-3pm and 7-8pm daily and will be open to the public from Monday 25th July onwards. The experience will take place in Outernet London’s NOW Trending building, opposite exit 4 from Tottenham Court Road station. There’s no need to reserve a space or pay to experience the sessions which are open to all ages.

Tom Burch, Managing Director, Pixel Artworks comments: “Society has never been as anxious as it is today, and the stress associated with commuting and returning to work in the office is a well-known trigger point. Based on this knowledge, we felt compelled to create an experience that can help calm people’s minds and educate them on the benefits of box-breathing arming them with tools to manage every day stress. Outernet London is at the epicentre of experience innovation, and we are proud to be an official production partner to deliver immersive experiences of which audiences are in awe.”

Outernet London is a brand-new immersive culture, media and music district. It features immense floor to ceiling wrap around screens able to broadcast never before seen digital experiences. The first of a global roll out, Outernet London is the most advanced immersive space in the world.

Philip O’Ferrall, CEO of Outernet Global adds: “Room to Breathe is a perfect example of how we can use the digital immersive capabilities of Outernet London. It will give visitors a tranquil experience to forget their stress and reflect. It’s really something beautiful to achieve with Pixel Artworks right in the heart of busy central London.”

Pixel Artworks, who are experts at bringing experiences to life through innovative, engaging technology, are one of Outernet London’s production partners working across the largest high-resolution wrap-around LED screens in the world.