office acoustics & solutions


Artistic design solutions to practical workspace challenges


John Sulzmann, founder and director of Artworks Solutions, explains how architects and designers can make the most aesthetic capital from acoustic art, glass manifestation and digital wallpaper, and what they should look for when selecting these options for a project.


to tick a lot of boxes. Workspaces and commercial interiors were once simplistic


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and functional, with little room for creativity or embellishment. Today’s businesses are looking beyond functional designs and increasingly seeking originality and sustainability from their premises, with an emphasis on health, well-being and creativity for employees. Sustainability is also a key aspect for architects of


contemporary projects primarily through achieving BREEAM accreditation – the world-leading sustainability assessment method. Far from being a challenge to suppliers of interior


products, many have risen to the design challenge of combining functionality, aesthetics and sustainability. In this article we look at three areas: glass manifestations, acoustic art and digital wall coverings.


‘Designers have an opportunity to turn something necessary into something stylish, unique and, if required, branded.’


Glass manifestations


Glass manifestation is required by law in order to stop people from walking into the glass, but designers have an opportunity to turn something necessary into something stylish, unique and, if required, branded. Designs for glass manifestations can have a massive effect on


productivity and creativity – a key consideration for creative businesses such as design agencies or publishing companies. Architects and designers now have a huge opportunity to


incorporate beautiful bespoke designs onto glass partitions in office interior projects. They can transmit the branding of a company for a personalised work area, create inspirational or tranquil landscapes for staff breakout areas or provide more opaque manifestations for privacy. Techniques such as transparency printing, acid etching filming, stained glass filming and one-way ‘contravision’


can achieve a wide range of effects to meet any design brief. The use of sustainable, 100 per cent polyester, optically clear film in the printing process is an added benefit.


Acoustic art


A relatively new feature to interior projects, acoustic art panels effectively ‘douse’ sound and prevent it from travelling too far while bringing aesthetic qualities to a workspace or office. When architects are faced with having to reduce noise levels of particular rooms, the challenge has usually been to come up with solutions that won’t compromise other aspects of the brief. Acoustic art solutions are ideal for this. They can be applied


to walls, ceilings, folding walls, free standing screens or even furniture cladding and can be shaped to any desired design. Acoustic-based solutions are only restricted by the creativity of those designing it – placing almost unlimited options at a designer’s disposal. But what makes most acoustic art solutions so appealing to


architects is that they’re re-useable and can be moved around when needed, adding flexibility to their many benefits. Acoustic art can range from overhead ceiling baffles


(including those with integrated lighting) to wall mounted multipurpose panels, ceilings, folding walls and furniture cladding printed to include artwork or branding, and also incorporating pin boards, dry-wipe surfaces and magnetic display boards. Class A acoustic products have a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.85, and are comprised of recycled PET core (polyester), as well as being recyclable.


ith a greater emphasis on sustainability, durability and flexibility and an ever-changing workforce, today’s interior projects for business premises need


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