Our top five new trends in commercial acoustics
As employers and educators seek to manage noise levels, discussion around acoustics is a hot topic. Current trends for open ceilings and hard surfaces are not best suited for sound absorbtion but many options are now available to help prevent sound bouncing around space. Designing solutions to prevent noise issues is often a technical process and we may well recommend engaging a specialist to confirm calculations.
Understanding how space needs to be used is key to success, ensuring sound and design work in harmony supporting mood, focus and overall well being.
More traditional sound absorbing options include carpets, curtains and upholstery, and all of these still form the base of any acoustic specification. Our top five additions to the standards are listed below; many of them are manufactured from PET felt - a highly sustainable material manufactured from recycled plastic bottles. It has excellent sound absorbtion properties, and is lightweight, durable and highly impact resistant.
Acoustic ceiling solutions
Traditional sound-absorbing ceiling systems have been around for a while. The newer solutions have been designed to work with open ceilings where the soffit and services are visible, and these new options allow a more open aesthetic to function in both open areas and meeting rooms. Usually manufactured from PET felt, they are available in several different forms and colours with panels, baffles and tiles on offer.
Acoustic wall panels
Wall-mounted acoustic panels are often specified to support local sound issues and as such work really well in meeting rooms. They can also be used within a wider scheme to develope a multifaceted approach. Wall panel options include PET felt (which can be decorative), fabric-wrapped and even timber faced acoustic panels.
Acoustic furniture
Furniture designed for either sound reduction or absorbtion is now common in commercial interior design. Any upholstery will have a positive effect on sound deadening with high back seating or booths probably having the most visible impact when you sit in them. Pods are also very popular as they enclose sound and prevent it from affecting the wider environment.
Planting
Planting and any sort of biophilia are very good at either disrupting or absorbing sound, and as such are a helpful tool in dealing with many sound issues.
Acoustic space division
And finally... desk-mounted, freestanding and ceiling-mounted space dividing screens can help to break up and absorb sound at a local level. They are often made from PET felt but can also be acoustic board wrapped in fabric to support the design concept. Furniture manufacturers often supply desk screens as part of their offering, but products are also available from acoustic specialists.
At The Workspace Consultants we specialise in office design, office furniture and project management, and we have offices in Cambridge, Oxford, London and Manchester. Just fill in our enquiry form to arrange a consultation.
