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Planning errors in room acoustics: You can hear them immediately!
Who hasn’t experienced it? A modern, open-plan room – but as soon as several people talk at the same time, it gets loud. Very loud. Acoustic problems like these are often caused by avoidable planning errors in the room acoustics – especially in the early project phases.
At acp® – apn® concepts & projects, the planning office of apn®, we support architecture firms, interior designers and space planners in the professional integration of acoustics into room planning. Here we show five typical pitfalls – and how they can be avoided.
1. acoustics come into play too late
A common mistake: the floor plan is in place, the materials are coordinated – and only then do you realize that the room acoustics have not been considered. The large conference area suddenly sounds like a gymnasium. The result: acoustic measures are added afterwards – usually cost-intensive and rarely effective.
2. use and acoustics contradict each other<7h3>
Do you want a room to be used simultaneously for concentrated work, short meetings and telephone calls? Without acoustic zoning, this leads to overlapping – both acoustically and functionally. Thinking about room zones and usage requirements together at an early stage prevents conflicts of use later on.
3. no sound data
Technical principles such as reverberation time calculations or acoustic simulations are often lacking. Decisions are then made purely on the basis of feelings – which becomes problematic when it comes to user feedback at the latest. Acoustic planning needs a measurable basis.
4. products instead of planning
Instead of a needs analysis, acoustic panels or ceiling panels are selected immediately. The selection of acoustic solutions should always be based on product-neutral planning. Specific products should only be selected once the requirements are clear.
5. unclear responsibilities
Acoustic planning is teamwork. However, it often remains unclear who supplies which data or who is responsible for calculations. These interfaces must be defined at an early stage – otherwise there is a risk of planning chaos and a loss of quality.
Conclusion: Room and acoustics belong together
Planning errors in room acoustics can be avoided – if acoustics are not seen as an add-on, but as an integral part of room planning. This is precisely our approach at acp®: manufacturer-independent, practical and tailored to the respective use.
Good room acoustics do not happen by chance. It is the result of well thought-out planning – right from the start.
Acoustic planning for architectural projects
How to start planning with foresight
Acoustic planning for architectural projects is a crucial building block for functioning, modern room concepts – but it is often underestimated in the early project phases. This is precisely where acp® (apn® concepts & projects) as a planning office of the apn® group, we combine acoustic engineering with planning vision and technical feasibility.
As part of apn® and in close cooperation with apn® acoustic solutions, we create product-independent and practical solutions – for architects, interior designers and space planners throughout the DACH region and beyond.
Why acoustics are not a sideshow
Acoustics does not happen by chance. It is the result of foresighted planning, technical analysis and practical experience. Whether new build, conversion or revitalization: acoustic planning for architectural projects means making rooms an experience not only visually, but also functionally – for the people who work, learn or live in them.
Our team supports projects throughout Germany as well as in Austria and Switzerland – with North German clarity, expertise and the right mix of analysis and feasibility.
Our services for reliable acoustic planning
acp® provides a reliable planning basis – manufacturer-neutral, practical and individually tailored:
- Acoustic analysis & engineering
- Independent reverberation time calculation
- Design planning for room acoustics & surfaces
- Product ideas with feasibility check
- Support during all planning phases (LPH)
In this way, we not only provide figures, but also a basis for decision-making for real implementation – tailored to architectural, functional and economic requirements.
What sets acp® apart
As part of the apn® group, we have a unique combination of planning expertise, acoustic depth and direct access to high-quality solutions from the field.
This results in concepts that are not only planned, but can also be built.
For you this means:
- resilient acoustic concepts
- Communication based on partnership
- Early planning capability
- Realizable measures
Conclusion: those who plan better, build more quietly
Well thought-out acoustic planning ensures greater well-being, a better user experience and long-term efficiency. Acoustic planning for architectural projects pays off – if it starts early. Let’s work together to find the best solution for your space. Talk to us – we look forward to the exchange!
Effect is created through interaction
Architecture unfolds its effect not only through what we see – but also through what we hear. Or rather: not listening.
On the nationwide Day of Architecture, the focus is on design concepts that shape and define spaces and make them tangible. But with all the visible design, one aspect is often overlooked: room acoustics.
Anyone planning rooms today is not just designing for the moment. It’s about atmosphere, functionality and long-term quality. And this is exactly where the apn® Lux Flunder acoustic design luminaire comes in.
Design that you can feel – not just see
Our apn® Lux Flunder combines highly effective sound absorption with glare-free lighting, setting new standards in the design of acoustically sophisticated rooms. It ensures silence, pleasant light and an atmosphere in which people feel comfortable in the long term.
Whether on the ceiling or wall, in the office, reception area or educational institution – the apn® Lux Flunder acoustic design luminaire blends harmoniously into a wide variety of room concepts and adapts flexibly to new uses. With 57 available shades and two light colors, it can be optimally configured both visually and functionally.
Design with meaning and effect
Good design convinces through details. Room acoustics are not an add-on, but an integral part of sustainable, modern architecture. Anyone planning rooms that have an impact and are allowed to develop should consider acoustics from the outset.
Our acoustic luminaires combine aesthetics, function and sustainability – making them a sustainable design element for a wide range of applications.
Are you planning rooms that should also impress acoustically? Then get in touch with us – we’ll be happy to advise you.
Room acoustics in sustainable design
Invisible, but indispensable
Sustainable design encompasses far more than ecological materials, fair production conditions and a low carbon footprint. One key aspect often goes unnoticed: the acoustic quality of a room. Room acoustics in sustainable design ensure that interiors are not only visually appealing and ecologically compatible, but can also be used flexibly and enjoyed for years to come.
Why room acoustics are part of sustainable design
- Timelessness
Sustainable interior design plans for decades. A well thought-out acoustic solution remains functional, even if the furnishings and room layout change. - Flexibility
Open floor plans, modular furniture systems and changing uses require acoustic solutions that adapt. Well-planned absorbers and diffusers can be moved or added to as required. - Feel-good atmosphere
Whether coworking area, lounge or meeting room: guests and employees stay longer if a room is not only worth seeing, but also worth hearing.
Integration of room acoustics in planning and architecture
- Early integration: Acoustics should not be seen as an afterthought. Planners and architects should define acoustic parameters as early as the concept phase.
- Choice of materials: Natural insulating materials, wooden slats and textile elements offer ecological advantages and good sound absorption.
- Modular systems: Flexible acoustic elements can be easily converted or added to if room functions change.
This approach allows your project to achieve a clear combination of ecology and aesthetics. The room acoustics in sustainable design work discreetly in the background and make a decisive contribution to long-lasting, adaptable architecture.
Your next step:
If you would like to find out more about sustainable acoustic solutions or discuss your project with apn®, please contact us. We can help you design spaces that not only look good, but also sound good and work in the long term.
Room acoustics in hotels: the often overlooked difference
Only 17 out of 860 points for acoustics?
In the criteria catalog for the official hotel classification in Germany, there are 860 possible evaluation points – but only 17 of these are for the room acoustics in the hotel. This corresponds to just around 2 %. An astonishingly low percentage when you consider how much the first acoustic impression shapes the overall image of a hotel.
Because when you enter a hotel, you don’t just perceive shapes, colors and materials – you hear the room. And what you feel directly influences your perception of comfort, quality and atmosphere.
Hotels today are more than just places to sleep
Modern hotels have long since fulfilled more than just one function:
They are places of work, meeting places, retreats and worlds of experience all in one. Today, guests expect a flexible quality of stay – be it at breakfast, in the co-working area or when retiring to their room in the evening.
Something that is often underestimated: The room acoustics in the hotel play a central role in whether guests really feel comfortable.
Loud lobby? Restless breakfast area? Echoing conference rooms? All of these have a direct impact on subjective well-being – and therefore on ratings, recommendations and bookings.
Design needs acoustics – right from the start
Modern interior design relies on open spaces, glass surfaces, hard materials and clear lines. However, it is precisely these elements that pose particular challenges for room acoustics.
This is where clever, integrated acoustic solutions are important – solutions that combine design and function without compromise. As a planner or architect, you should think about acoustics right from the start so that the room not only looks good, but also feels and sounds good.
apn®: Room acoustics in hotels – with high standards
At apn®, we combine aesthetic concepts with technical acoustic expertise – for hotels that impress in every respect. Our solutions fit seamlessly into the interior design and create acoustically pleasant rooms for guests, employees and operators.
Our claim is clear in northern Germany: Reduced. Effective. Permanently good.
Are you planning a hotel project or would you like to acoustically upgrade an existing property? Then let’s work together tocreate a room that not only looks good, but also sounds good.
Room acoustics in the catering trade
When design wants to be heard
The restaurant is full, the lighting is atmospheric, the interior is stylish – and yet many guests turn their backs on the restaurant early. What seems surprising at first glance often has a clear reason: the room acoustics in restaurants are underestimated.
If the sound of a room is not taken into account, an invisible barrier is created. Noise, reverberation and unpleasant sound reflections make conversations tiring and disrupt the emotional experience. Even the best design can lose its impact if the acoustic atmosphere is not right.
Noise reduces dwell time – and return visits
Many catering establishments lack sound-absorbing materials. Hard surfaces, high ceilings or glass fronts amplify the sound – and therefore also the noise. A well-known example of this is the Lombard effect: people speak louder the higher the noise level gets – until no one can listen anymore.
The room acoustics in restaurants not only influence how loud the room is. It determines how comfortable guests feel, how long they stay and whether they come back. Good acoustics create a pleasant atmosphere for conversation, reduce stress and ensure relaxed moments – without being visually noticeable. It is not seen, but clearly felt.
Enjoyment needs acoustic quality
In cafés, restaurants and bars in particular, acoustic quality is part of the culinary experience. Enjoyment is not only on the tongue, but also in the quiet of the room. A pleasant sound environment supports communication, creates closeness and invites people to linger.
This is why room acoustics in restaurants should be considered as part of the design concept from the outset. Not as an afterthought, but as a central component of a holistic room design.
Think of room acoustics as a design element
At apn® we develop acoustic solutions that combine both: sound quality and architectural aesthetics. Our products are modular in design, architecturally adaptable and so flexible that they can be seamlessly integrated into a wide variety of design concepts – whether as ceiling absorbers, wall solutions or free-standing acoustic elements.
Good design speaks – but it doesn’t speak. Rooms that are acoustically well thought out are not only seen, but experienced. They invite you to stay and create a real connection – between people, conversations and atmosphere.
Are you planning a new catering project? Let’s talk about how acoustic effectiveness and design standards can be ideally combined. For rooms that are more than just a backdrop – and where people want to stay.