Add an acoustic ‘wow’ factor to your interior space

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How acoustic wall art can help absorb sound

Today’s choice of open-plan work spaces mean our working environments are noisier than ever. Although these designs may be more atheistically pleasing to the eye, they unfortunately create an acoustic environment where sound repeatedly reflects and reverberates off hard surfaces such as glass and concrete. As a result, staff communicate at an increased level just to be heard and the noise continues to rise.

How can you begin to rectify this problem?

In a previous blog we discussed “Why acoustic issues in the working environment are so important”. By adopting the right mix of suitable products for your space that either Absorb, Block or Cover sound (the ABC of Acoustics), you will achieve an improved and productive work place.

Incorporating acoustic wall art and panelling are incredibly effective products for noise absorption. We recommend our very popular Vibe – Fabric and Printed Art.

These high performance products (Class A and C) are suitable for all wall applications and offer maximum noise absorbency. Available in a variety of finishes, you can choose from a coloured or patterned fabric, stock image or photo. Alternatively, why not select one of your own designs?

Used in a multitude of environments from offices, banks, school sports halls, restaurants, hospitals and hotels, not only are they great for branding, the Vibe wall art can also add a ‘wow’ factor to your interior space.

From the client – “Acoustic Comfort for Screen Solutions has achieved the transformation of our multi-purpose area from an outdated and outmoded facility to a venue fit for purpose in a twenty first century setting” Headteacher, Shaftesbury School

Construction:
– internal absorbing material 25mm or 50mm thick
– covered with:
a base fabric layer and a plain coloured or patterned fabric
a base fabric layer and a dye sublimation printed finished fabric
– secured to a MDF back

Acoustic Performance:
– after construction, the 25mm option is 40mm thick – Class C absorber
– after construction, the 50mm option is 65mm thick – Class A absorber

What does the ‘C’ stand for in the ABC of Acoustics?

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Part 5 – How to cover/mask unwanted sound in the workplace.

Part 5

In a previous blog we reviewed, “What does ‘B’ stand for in the ABC of Acoustics?”. Here we examine “What does ‘C’ stand for in the ABC of Acoustics?”

It’s an agreed principle of architects and designers, that an interior workspace can affect the wellbeing, health and productivity of its workforce. Understanding this link will help businesses reduce absenteeism and distractions, improve concentration and productivity. Along with daylight and good air quality, good acoustics play a key role when creating the ideal workplace.

Unfortunately, the preferred open-plan office designs of today have their fair share of drawbacks. The lack of walls and doors can result in a space being too quiet or too loud. Unwanted and overbearing silence or noise can make it difficult for employees to concentrate on tasks, causing stress and reduced productivity. Lack of speech privacy is another common issue. Adjoining workers’ conversations can become unintentionally distracting to the casual listener and in confidential environments this lack of privacy may result in breaches of security.

In our previous blog posts Part 3 and Part 4, we discuss the A and B in the ABC of acoustics. The last and probably most fundamental element in solving acoustic problems is C for Cover.

What do we mean by C for Cover (mask unwanted sound)? Sound masking entails introducing a background noise to the work space which acts to ‘mask’ the sound.

Here’s the science bit – Sound masking is the only acoustic treatment that can maintain the noise floor at a level between 42 and 48 dB(A), an ideal range to ‘block out’ distractions caused by noise. This makes colleagues unwanted conversations and workplace noise difficult to hear, reducing distractions and providing speech privacy.

To create this acoustic treatment, we employ the market leader in sound masking technology, the LogiSon® Acoustic Network system. By distributing a comfortable, engineered background sound throughout the workplace, Logison® helps to reduce distractions and achieve privacy. Creating a noise floor high enough to mask unwanted noises and low enough for comfort, it works because the human ear can’t distinguish sounds of similar volume and frequency.

We are often asked if it can be heard? You must be able to hear the masking sound for it to be effective, but it’s designed to be as unnoticeable as possible. It doesn’t contain distracting patterns, and via a thorough assessment of your space, it’s tuned so you don’t hear volume changes as you move through the workplace.

As the sole UK agent since 2002, we have complete faith in this incredibly cost-effective product and continue to install the system in a wide range of interiors from offices to call centres, hospitals to banks, schools to universities and law courts to hotels.

How does the LogiSon® Acoustic Network system work?

Innovative design

Loudspeakers are usually installed in a grid-like pattern above acoustic ceiling tiles. Its contemporary design also makes the network the best choice for open ceilings.

Central Control

A central control panel and software provide overall control and tuning. As the acoustic requirements for the space change, the acoustic profile of each speaker can be set independently and re-programmed without rewiring or requiring access to the ceiling.

Minimal installation

It’s easily to install  in new or existing facilities of any size. If necessary, the Network can easily be expanded or relocated in the future. Installation and layout design is handled by Acoustic Comfort, our in-house team of acoustic expert technicians.

Software

Its inbuilt Acoustic Network™ Manager Software provides multi-floor or whole-building control from one location.

Advanced component integration

LogiSon® offers the highest and most sophisticated level of component integration in the industry. It provides digital quality masking and audio, as well as multiplexed paging and music, while eliminating the need for centrally located amplifiers, equalizers and sound generators.

 

For further information or help with noise issues, our Acoustics Comfort team of qualified experts are on hand to accurately diagnose the problem, offer guidance and deliver a solution.

What does the ‘A’ stand for in the ABC of Acoustics?

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Part 3 – How to absorb sound in the workplace and our related products.

Part 3

Have you noticed how hushed the outside world appears after a snow fall? The tiny individual flakes of snow combine together to produce an absorption blanket to muffle the everyday noise. This effect is most needed in interior spaces such as a gymnasium, restaurant or office environment which can be loud and disturbing with the sound reverberating straight back at you from the hard surfaces of floors, equipment, tables and desks. Although the snow makes for a welcome ‘hush’ of the outside world, in reality, nobody wants to work in a deathly silent or crashingly loud environment. Both can have an equally negative impact on the people and staff that inhabit them.

To help with these issues, our team of qualified experts will accurately diagnose the problem, offer guidance and suggest what form of absorption the environment requires. This falls under the first section of the ABC of Acoustics – A for Absorb.

In our previous blog posts Part 1 and Part 2, we discuss issues that affect acoustics in the modern workspace.

What do we mean by Absorb (capture reflected sound). This is the use of products to absorb the sound energy that hits them and reduce unwanted, reflected sound energy from hard surfaces such as glass and concrete.

Below is a selection of our products produced for the purpose of absorption:

reverb

Ceiling Islands and Baffles:

– 40mm thick (class A absorber) for maximum acoustic absorbency
– varying thickness for bespoke islands
– combine with different types of lighting
– express your creativity with different shapes and colours

 

Fabric Wall Panels:

– 40mm thick (class C absorber) or 65mm thick (class A absorber) for maximum acoustic absorbency
– factory finished to hang on the wall just like a picture
– available in plain coloured or patterned fabrics

 

Fabric Wall and Ceiling Panels:

– 25mm thick (class C absorber) or 50mm thick (class A absorber) for maximum acoustic absorbency
– available in plain coloured or patterned fabrics
– electrical sockets, switches and flat panel TV screens, etc, can be incorporated
– discreet design for visual continuity

 

Wall and Ceiling Art Panelling:

– 25mm thick (class C absorber) or 50mm thick (class A absorber) for maximum acoustic absorbency
– can be printed in block colours, graphics or images
– high resolution dye sublimation printing up to 1400 dpi
– electrical sockets, switches and flat panel TV screens, etc, can be incorporate

 

Vibe

– acoustic wall art and signage with removable outer fabric for easy updating of imagery 30mm thick with an absorbing core (class D) to improve room acoustics
– interchangeable outer fabric allows for easy updating of art when required
– chamfered aluminium frame
– print with the image or graphic of your choice or design your own art

 

Contact us today to learn more about suitable products and solutions for absorption and to see how we can turn your work place into a healthy, happy and productive working environment.

Why acoustic issues in the working environment are so important

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Part 1 – Over the coming months, we’ll be producing a series of blogs focusing on acoustic issues within the workspace and how they can be rectified.

Part 1

Why acoustic issues in the working environment are so important

Interior designer’s fondness for open-plan office layouts doesn’t look like it will end any time soon. As a result, acoustic problems within the workspace are a growing and pressing concern for today’s businesses.

“70% of workers said they could be more productive in a less noisy environment” 

American Society of Interior Designers’ study

Unfortunately, a lot of companies are unaware that making a few adjustments to correct the acoustic landscape, can have wide-reaching benefits such as improved staff productivity and concentration.

This is where our dedicated acoustics division can help. Unlike other acoustic solution providers, our team of highly skilled and technically trained staff are experts and market leaders in achieving effective acoustic solutions.

“72% of office workers are dissatisfied with their speech privacy”

University of California at Berkeley study

How do we solve noise issues?

  • We assess the situation and categorise the noise problem into one of three areas:
  1. Lack of speech privacy – normally experienced in cellular and closed offices where sound may leak into adjoining spaces due to a range of situations including poor construction, lightweight partitions.
  2. Noise and concentration – Intensely packed working environments containing hard reflective surfaces that reverberate sounds, which result in a less productive working environment.
  3. A combination of both – most working environments suffer with a mixture of the two previously mentioned problems
  •  We analyse how the work space is used
  •  We then specify suitable materials to help with the resulting issues

 

Contact us today for further information and to see how we can turn your work place into a healthy, happy and productive working environment.

 

How to prevent bad acoustics from ruining good working environments

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Part 2 – The all-essential A (absorb – capture reflected sound), B (block – stop sound travelling) and C (cover – mask unwanted sound) of interior acoustics.

Part 2

The office layout of old is most probably dead as we see the rise of open-plan and innovative work spaces showcased daily in architecture blogs and articles. But are these A&D experts designing with both their eyes and their ears?

Unfortunately, a lot of today’s workspace environments are manifesting many disturbing problems; from noise disruptions, lack of speech privacy and increased stress levels, to lack of concentration, lower productivity and confidentiality breaches.

Investing in good acoustics increases staff productivity, showing a viable return on investment in a fairly short period of time.

If you visited Neocon this year, you will have noticed that the buzz word was acoustics. There was a huge increase in design and production of acoustical pieces, such as quiet booths, wrap around chairs and sound absorbing materials. These are all great, but if you do not understand how acoustics work furniture alone will not help you rectify the problems.

 

The all-essential A, B and C of interior acoustic solutions

The best way to achieve a properly managed acoustic environment is through a carefully balanced combination of absorption, blocking and cover techniques. We call it the ABC of acoustics and it forms the basis of our successful approach.

Following our earlier blog “Part 1, Why acoustic issues in the working environment are so important”, we explain why and how to achieve a balanced and comfortable work space.

• Assess the situation and categorise the noise problem into one of three areas: lack of speech privacy, noise and concentration or a combination of the two

• Analyse how the work space is used

• Then specify suitable materials to help with the resulting issues

 

A – absorb (capture reflected sound)

The use of products to absorb the sound energy that hits them and reduce unwanted, reflected sound energy from hard surfaces such as glass and concrete.

B – block (stop sound travelling)

The introduction of vertical barriers between the noise source and listener that blocks sound travelling from one to the other. The higher the barrier, the more effective the results.

C – cover (mask unwanted noise)

We use the award-winning LogiSon sound masking system, to reduce distractions and achieve privacy by distributing a comfortable, engineered background sound throughout the workplace. A computer generated random sound covers or masks unwanted noise creating a sound with a pitch high enough to mask unwanted noises and low enough for comfort. It works because the human ear cannot distinguish sounds of similar volume and frequency. As the only UK dealer of this product, we stand by this easy to install and cost-effective solution.

 

Contact us today for further information and to see how we can turn your work place into a healthy, happy and productive working environment.

+44 (0) 1273 589922