The art of acoustics: how to achieve the perfect acoustic balance
Q&A with Rowan Montague-Smith
The art of acoustics: how to achieve the perfect acoustic balance
To round off our three-part crash course on the art of acoustics, we asked Senior Designer and TDA’s resident acoustics enthusiast Rowan Montague-Smith for his thoughts on this intriguing aspect of workplace design.
Q
What makes acoustics one of your favourite elements of workplace design?
A
I think this is because when it comes to acoustics the possibilities are almost endless. Every ceiling, wall, floor, window and space within the office environment represents an opportunity to create something that not only helps to achieve the perfect balance of sound but looks beautiful too. We’re also lucky enough to work with some incredibly clever suppliers that offer a huge range of products including decorative acoustic wall coverings, suspended ceilings, drapes, furniture and lighting. Many of the latest products to market also have a very architectural, sculptural aesthetic which I particularly enjoy incorporating into design schemes.
The scope for working with suppliers and manufacturers to create bespoke acoustic solutions that work to enhance the unique look and feel of our clients’ spaces is also vast. Your imagination is really the only limit for what you can create.
Finally, whenever we help a client to overcome an acoustic challenge within their workplace, they immediately notice the difference and are always delighted by how much more comfortable and inviting their space feels. Which is just the kind of positive reaction you strive for as a designer.
Q
Why do you think acoustics sometimes gets overlooked by some businesses and designers during the design process?
A
I think this could be the case for a number of reasons.
The first is that even though we do everything we can to ensure that their workplace transformation project runs as smoothly as possible, for most businesses undergoing an office move or refurbishment does involve a certain amount of stress.
Most clients are still trying to focus on the day to day running of their business and want to prioritise getting their staff moved into their space with as little disruption as possible.
This often means that addressing noise levels within the space tends to get pushed down the to do list. Many businesses see acoustics as something that can be dealt with at a later date if it turns out the environment is not acoustically comfortable.
There is also a fair bit of science involved with finding the perfect acoustic solution, which some clients are more interested in than others.
Finally, acoustic solutions come at a cost and I think there is still a perception that these products are a nice-to-have rather than a must.
However, I believe this attitude is changing. In the past, businesses have tended to focus only on achieving a good level of acoustics in meeting rooms and sensitive areas. But now there is more of an appreciation for how acoustics impacts staff wellbeing throughout the workplace as a whole. So it is slowly but surely working its way up the design agenda.
Q
Why do you think finding the right acoustic level is so important?
A
Supporting the wellbeing of our clients’ staff is at the forefront of every project TDA delivers. A big part of that is achieving an acoustic level that not only enables the office to function effectively, but also allows staff to feel completely comfortable within their space.
It’s especially important at the moment as staff will soon be returning to the workplace after a year of working at home due to the pandemic. The right acoustic solution will ensure that those who have missed the social aspect of coming into the office can interact and collaborate with colleagues in buzzing communal areas without disturbing others who may view the office as a place to quietly concentrate.
Q
How do you work with clients to create the perfect acoustic solution?
A
Communication and a consultative approach are absolutely key to a successful project.
We are in constant dialogue with out clients throughout the design process but are very much focused on listening to what they have to say and understanding their needs.
We like to enter into discussions about acoustic performance as early on in the design phase as possible and aim to identify any acoustic requirements at the brief stage.
Often, clients are already aware of a specific acoustic issue in their current space that they do not wish to replicate in their new design scheme. Some will even really know their stuff and tell us exactly what level of acoustic performance we need to achieve. If this is the case, we closely monitor their current situation and will often involve an acoustician or one of our suppliers’ in-house experts to help ensure that we achieve precisely the correct level.
Some clients however don’t have a particular acoustic requirement but do have a preference for modern design trends such as exposed services and hard surfaces that are well known to cause acoustic issues. In these scenarios we alert clients to potential challenges and recommend solutions as early as possible so that acoustic treatments can be fully integrated within their design from the start.
The advanced 3D visualisation tools we use are extremely helpful in both cases as they allow us to show clients exactly how acoustic products will enhance their overall design scheme and integrate seamlessly within the space.
Q
What are the most important factors to consider when creating the perfect acoustic solution?
A
First of all, sound leakage is paramount. I always keep in mind that sound behaves like water. It will find its way through every nook and cranny. So if a room needs to have high levels of acoustics, I always consider all aspects of the space to identify any weak points where sound can escape.
Tackling localised sound generation is also a good approach. For example, telesales teams tend to generate a lot of noise so when designing that area, I focus on incorporating absorptive materials into the space. This can often be done very subtly using carpets or vinyl flooring with acoustic backing that isn’t visible but does a fantastic job of reducing reverberation and decibel levels. I also like to play around with surface area. The greater the area, the more sound is absorbed so I often like to incorporate 3D shapes, quilted fabrics and high back furniture.
It’s also important to remember that having good acoustics doesn’t necessarily mean cancelling out sound all together. In fact, having the perfect level of white noise in a space can sometimes be the difference between staff feeling comfortable, or like they are walking on eggshells. In these cases, we will often use products that generate white noise to create the right balance. White noise products are also particularly handy for improving comfort levels in spaces where a building’s architecture and M&E services such as chilled beams aren’t conducive to creating cellular rooms with high acoustic levels.
Q
Is the perfect acoustic level the same for every business?
A
Definitely not. That’s why understanding our clients’ expectations is so key to designing the perfect acoustic solution. Some businesses thrive in a buzzing office while for some even the sound of the printer can be off putting. But whatever their preference, it’s vital for businesses to properly consider their workplace acoustics so that when they do welcome staff back in the coming months they can be certain that their wellbeing and ability to work effectively is properly supported after such a challenging time away from the office.
Q
Finally, what are some of your favourite acoustic products?
A
There have been some very exciting new product launches recently.
I particularly like the suspended ceiling raft systems we used in The Richmond Charities’ West London office. They are sleek and architectural, integrate seamlessly with lighting, and are a great way to keep the look and feel of an exposed or high ceiling while maintaining a good acoustic level.
I’m also a big fan of Haiken’s products.
I love the clean lines, fluted upholstery and art deco aesthetic of their single-booth focus pods. They’re a fantastic example of how acoustic products don’t just serve a functional purpose but can also really enhance the look of a space.
Lastly, as well as being highly effective at controlling sound levels, acoustic wall tiles are a great way of injecting some colour and individuality into a space. You can really have fun creating unique patterns and mosaic effects that mean they also double up as bespoke wall art.
We hope you enjoyed our foray into the exciting topic of acoustics.
If you’d like to know more about how we can help you to achieve the perfect acoustic level in your workplace we’d love to hear from you.
Give us a call on +44 (0) 20 7016 0200 or drop us a line using one of our contact forms and let’s talk it through.
Rowan Montague-Smith | Associate Senior Designer
Rowan benefits from over 24 years’ experience of working in the commercial interior design and fit out industry. Having graduated with a degree in Furniture & Product Design from Kingston University, he began his career working for the leading furniture manufacturer Steelcase, where his path led him into office design.
Rowan has since worked for several top office interior Design & Build firms and has now been designing exceptional workplace transformations at TDA for 9 years and counting.
+ Rowan's recent projects
- The Richmond Charities
- 19 Entertainment
- 3M
- Lego
- National Trust
- BIC
- Mitie
- Philips
- Zoggs
- YT Industries
- Powered by Pie
- Prostate Cancer UK
- Top Table
- Heidelberg
- Anheuser-Busch
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