Happenings No 2. The value of acoustic panelling in a fit-out.

Happenings No 2. The value of acoustic paneling in a fit-out.

We’ve always been interested in acoustics, whether that be through our love for music, or our well-spent youth.

This has led us to not only seek out good acoustics when we dine at a restaurant (so we can hear those we are dining with and the sommeliers wine selection tips of course), but also help our clients install the best acoustics for their interior fit-out projects.

In the modern day, where personal experience is ever important across all industries, acoustics can either enhance the experience, or be the kill-joy.

Like anything on the market, there are so many options in acoustics so we’ve taken a stroll down memory lane to look over some of our recent projects where acoustics was an important part of the project – we are builders after all.

Here are our top 3:

Royal Randwick Racecourse

We recently completed a refurbishment of the administration building at the Royal Randwick Racecourse, where there were common areas, conference and meeting rooms, think tank rooms and media rooms all designed.

We fitted the meeting rooms and the quiet rooms with Echopanel Longitude 12mm acoustic paneling and  Supawood which not only looked amazing but from all accounts is a hit with staff and makes working in a common area more seamless.

Plus U Co-working

We were involved in a demolition and refit of a 7-storied heritage listed building in Sydneys’ CBD.  This building was transformed from a derelict state to a modern, edgy and unique co-working and serviced offices, working with and respecting the heritage features.

As this is a building where lots of different businesses and people are working closely together, acoustics is very important.

The design took this into account, not just by the lay-out of the offices, quiet rooms and workstations but by incorporating acoustic panelling throughout, work station barriers and some pretty cool phone booths doubling up as quiet rooms. The designers incorporated the  used Echopanel Longitude 12mm for the phone booths which provided the perfect amount of sound proofing and another great thing about this product that it is made from 60% post consumer PET plastic bottles!

St George Café

The St George Café fit-out in the heart of Chippendale, NSW was located within in a historic building which already had some natural acoustics by way its exposed beam ceiling.  This its own sound barrier which was utilised as a feature throughout.

A couple of other ideas that we have used in the past to deal with acoustics are perforated ceiling designs and leather booths.

There are really so many options available to treat acoustics.  We are always looking for fun, creative new ways to work them into our projects.