Acoustic panel keeps distracting reverberations and sounds under control

Office environments tend to use hard materials such as glass, steel and concrete. While this gives the office a modern look, it also causes sound to be reflected. Especially in larger and/or open office spaces, this regularly leads to noise pollution, frustration and fatigue, as well as decreased productivity, concentration and health complaints. Acoustic Comfort™ acoustic panels combat this. The panels add an aesthetic and soothing element to the space, absorbing distracting reverberations and sounds like a sponge.

Director of Akoestiek Comfort™ Gijs van Wijk has extensive experience in housing issues and the introduction of the New Way of Working. As an accommodation consultant within the central government, he was regularly confronted with sound problems, such as reverberation or unintelligibility. Through the German furniture supplier Rohde & Grahl, he came into contact with a possible solution: a perforated metal cassette that can be applied as an acoustic panel to a wall of single glass, where it captures and absorbs sound. He started working with this principle and in 2014, Acoustics Comfort™ was founded.

"Acoustics Comfort™ focuses on improving acoustics in office environments and healthcare facilities," says Van Wijk. "This is because we believe that a pleasant working environment creates healthy and motivated people. To achieve this, we combine modern techniques with a practical, hands-on approach that starts with an inventory of the location and usage. If necessary, we also perform a noise measurement, after which we prepare a comprehensive product recommendation." Depending on the problem and/or space, Acoustics Comfort™ supplies acoustic panels in various absorption qualities. The basis is - if possible - a combination of glass and a panel. The panels can also be installed on an existing wall. 

"At strategic locations on the panels, perforated metal cassettes with an insulating padding absorb sound. The insulator consists of a high-quality polyester fiber and is free of dust particles, mold and chemical binders, dimensionally stable, provided with fire class B1 and 100% recyclable."
If desired, the panels are placed loose in the room, where they enhance the auditory and visual privacy of employees. But mounting against wall or ceiling is also possible. "As standard, the cassettes are supplied in RAL 9006 or 9016, but other RAL colors are also possible. In addition, cloths can be stretched over the panels, allowing the acoustic products to blend seamlessly into the aesthetic design."

In recent years, Acoustics Comfort™ has acoustically optimized several (government) buildings. A recent reference is the European headquarters of Medline International in Arnhem.