Using Acoustics Successfully in Open Ceiling Spaces
Walk into almost any newly designed office today and you'll probably notice one thing straight away. The ceiling.
Or perhaps more accurately, the lack of one.
Exposed services, concrete soffits and industrial finishes have become a defining feature of modern workplaces. They create a sense of openness, maximise natural light and give spaces a clean, contemporary feel. It’s easy to see why so many designers continue to embrace the look.
But while open ceilings have transformed the way workplaces look, they have also changed the way they sound.
Without a suspended ceiling, one of the largest surfaces available for absorbing sound disappears. Instead, conversations, footsteps and everyday office noise are free to bounce around the space, reflecting off concrete, glazing and other hard surfaces. Before long, a workplace that looks calm and inviting can start to feel busy, distracting and louder than anyone expected.
That does not mean open ceilings are the problem. It simply means acoustics need to be considered differently.
The good news is that creating a comfortable acoustic environment does not mean compromising the design vision. In fact, some of the most successful projects use acoustics to become part of the design itself.
Rather than covering the ceiling again, suspended acoustic solutions can be introduced to absorb sound while maintaining the openness that makes exposed ceilings so appealing. Ceiling baffles, rafts and feature systems can all help reduce reverberation without hiding the architecture above. Solutions such as Breeze Baffles, Aurora, Grid and Vault allow designers to introduce acoustic performance while creating striking features that enhance the overall interior.
Of course, the ceiling is only one part of the story.
When there is less sound absorption overhead, walls become even more important. Introducing acoustic wall panels can help soften reflections, improve speech clarity and add texture to a space at the same time. Whether creating a subtle backdrop or a bold feature wall, products such as Öra and Tex Tiles can improve acoustic comfort while contributing to the overall design scheme.
The way we use workplaces has changed too. Offices are no longer made up of rows of desks where everyone works quietly throughout the day. Instead, they are designed around collaboration, focused work, informal meetings and social spaces, all within the same floorplate.
This is where acoustic zoning becomes just as important as sound absorption.
Rather than trying to make every part of the office sound the same, different areas should support different activities. A collaboration zone should feel energetic, while a focus space needs to minimise distractions. Products such as Verta can help define spaces without fully enclosing them, while Lull and Orbit screens provide acoustic separation where it is needed most, helping to create quieter areas without compromising the openness of the layout.
This approach reflects the direction of modern workplace design. Guidance such as BS ISO 22955 encourages designers to think beyond simply reducing noise and instead create environments that support the way people actually work, whether that is collaborating, concentrating or connecting with colleagues.
Perhaps the best acoustic design is the kind people never notice.
People can hold conversations without raising their voices. Meetings are easier to follow. Video calls become clearer. The office feels calmer, even when it is busy. Most people will never stop to think about why. They will simply enjoy spending time in the space.
That is what good acoustic design should do.
Open ceilings are here to stay, and for good reason. They create beautiful, flexible workplaces that reflect the way we design today. By considering acoustics from the very beginning, it is possible to retain everything people love about exposed ceilings while creating spaces that are comfortable, productive and enjoyable to work in every day.
