Recreation and culture

Typical sound absorption goals for recreational and cultural spaces are to minimise noise and disruption to a comfortable level to overall increase comfort in these different types of spaces where leisure time is typically spent in.  

Selecting Kvadrat Acoustics solutions for different types of recreational or cultural spaces depend on the type- and purpose of the space, but also factors such as size of the room and height of the ceiling is of importance in these spaces. To discover acoustic insights, specification recommendations and cases relevant to your project, explore the guide below.

Retail

Typical sound absorption goals:

Retail spaces require acoustic treatment that increases comfort, minimises disruption from shoppers and enhances quality of background music. Significant absorption provides a warm acoustic environment. 

Specification recommendations:

Retail spaces often only have ceiling space available for acoustic treatment. The ceiling will be benefitted from a Kvadrat Acoustics solution incorporating Soft Cells panels with significant absorption. 

  • Consider the goods and interior of the retail space, and placement of these, as this influences the nature of reverbaration.

  • It can be relevant to consider hiding speakers inside the Kvadrat Acoustics solution.

  • Music should be choosen carefully.

Restaurant

Typical sound absorption goals:

Restaurants require noise reduction to a comfortable level through a considerable amount of sound absorption.

Specification recommendations:

Restaurants are typically benefitted from a Kvadrat Acoustics solution, with a considerable amount of absorption, covering both ceilings and walls throughout the entire space, and concentrated in the dining areas.

  • Restaurants often suffer from high noise levels, and noise impacts all the senses, so a level of ambient background noise can be helpful. But make sure it is not played too loud.
  • Keep larger tables away from smaller tables, and consider placing these in areas with absorption on walls and/or ceilings. 

Museum and art gallery

Typical sound absorption goals:

Museums and art galleries require acoustic treatment that provides comfort, spaciousness and short-range intelligibility through a medium level of absorption.

Specification recommendations:

Museums and art galleries are typically benefitted from a Kvadrat Acoustics solution with a medium level of absorption in either ceilings and/or walls, often kept subtle in accomodating the art in the space.

  • Furthermore, a Kvadrat Acoustics solution can be creatively specified to add an extra dimension to the experience, depending on the type of exhibiton. 
  • A reflection-free environment is not recommended, except for when the central theme is space or moon-related.
  • Acoustic treatment focusing on some ambience sound might be relevant.

Music environments

Typical sound absorption goals:

Music related spaces overall require acoustic treatment that creates a balanced, detailed timbre and a precisely balanced sound decaying tail. Spaces of music environments vary quite a lot, so there is a customized solution for every project. 

Specification recommendations:

As different music related venues have different, specific purposes, they should be treated with a Kvadrat Acoustics solution as individual as the venue. Spaces created for music, often include particular frequency band absorption. This is usually either low frequency, as an addition to a broad range of porous absorbers, or using thicker absorbers, or membranes or diffusers reflecting some high-frequency energy. 

  • A concert hall, or theatre will usually benefit from more absorption, while classical venue or rehearsal room will need more diffusivity than absorption.
  • Music studios also benefit from a lot of absorption, with great focus on low frequencies and proper broadband absorption placement, according to speakers or microphones. But it is also important to consider ambience of the space.
  • For concert halls, a calculation of distribution patterns that goes beyond placing absorbers across the space, is required.
  • Cinemas will require a particular combination of broadband absorption and low-frequency absorption to achieve the optimal sound for a cinematic experience. A solution with a great amount of extended broadline overall, and low-frequency absorption on the ceiling sides and back walls should be considered.
  • When it comes to music, subjective standards like taste, as well as objective considerations like furniture, are important.

Hotel

Typical sound absorption goals:

Hotels require acoustic treatment that creates comfort and privacy, both in private rooms and in public spaces. Hotels have a lot of different areas, requiring different types of acoustic treatment. 

Specification recommendations:

Hotels have a lot of different types of spaces that would be benefitted from different types of Kvadrat Acoustics solutions, but with focus on sound isolation with some level of absorption.

  • Corridor/stairways will benefit from carpets and some level of absorption on either wall or ceilings to minimize travel of sound of footsteps and speech.  

  • Canteen/restaurant/lobby is benefitted from a lot of absorption to provide good intelligibility, comfort and privacy around the table. Good acoustic treatment can make the room suitable for occasional concerts or events. Absorption should be mainly in ceilings but can also be placed on walls locally. Acoustics of the space is also influenced by amount and type of furnishing.

  • Spa/gym/swimming pool should be treated with considerable amounts of absorption on either walls or ceilings in reducing noise and creating comfort, warmth, intelligibility and privacy. 

  • Private rooms are benefitted by smaller amounts of absorption used in decorative ways in smaller rooms, and a bit more of absorption in bigger rooms, especially more spacy rooms with higher ceilings and/or open apartments.

  • Reception area are benefitted by some absorption to reduce reverberation time and to provide short range intelligibility and comfort.

  • Conference rooms are benefitted by a significant amount of absorption on big part of ceilings and some parts of walls in achieving optimal intelligibility, quality of meetings and better performance of audio system.