Retrofitting Calm: Acoustics in Refurbishment Projects
Refurbishment projects come with a different set of challenges to new builds.
You’re working with an existing space, existing services and often architectural features that are central to the character of the building. Somewhere between deciding what stays, what changes and how to bring a new design vision to life, acoustics can easily become an afterthought.
But it shouldn’t be.
Poor acoustics don’t disappear because a building is being refurbished rather than built from scratch. If anything, existing conditions can make getting them right more challenging.
A concrete soffit might be a feature you want to retain. Existing lighting and services can limit usable ceiling space. Original walls and finishes might form an important part of the scheme. And in occupied buildings, there is the added challenge of completing work with as little disruption as possible.
Historic and listed buildings can bring another layer of complexity. Original features, decorative ceilings and period detailing often need to be preserved, leaving less freedom to make changes to walls and ceilings. There may also be restrictions on what can be fixed to the building, making it important to find acoustic solutions that respect its character while meeting the needs of a modern workspace. The challenge is finding that balance between protecting what makes the building special and creating a comfortable, functional space for the people using it today.
That’s why considering acoustics early in the design process can make such a difference.
Rather than trying to squeeze acoustic treatment into whatever space is left at the end, look at what the existing building gives you and make acoustics part of the design response.
An existing suspended ceiling grid, for example, doesn’t necessarily need to be ripped out. Products such as Flott and Stratus can work with standard ceiling grids, allowing an existing system to be retained while giving the ceiling a completely different look and introducing acoustic absorption.
Where an exposed soffit is part of the design intent, acoustic rafts and baffles can introduce absorption without losing the openness above. Products such as Aurora and Breeze can be suspended around existing lighting, ductwork and services, while colour, shape and layout can turn the acoustic treatment into a feature in its own right.
And sometimes the ceiling simply isn’t an option.
Wall treatments such as Öra V and Öra Plain can introduce sound absorption using available wall space, while giving designers plenty of scope to work with colour, pattern and form as part of the wider material palette.
This flexibility is particularly valuable when refurbishing an occupied building.
A full strip out might give you a blank canvas, but it also brings cost, waste and disruption. Working intelligently with what is already there can mean fewer interventions while still giving the space a completely new identity.
The important thing is to make those decisions early.
Which architectural features are being retained? Where can acoustic treatment have the most impact? What needs to remain accessible? How will it work alongside lighting and services? And could the acoustics actually add something to the design rather than simply solving a problem?
These are much easier questions to answer at specification stage than once everything else has been decided.
Acoustics in a refurbishment project shouldn’t be about finding somewhere to put a few panels at the end.
It should be about understanding the building you already have, respecting the design vision and finding the right way to make the space work better for the people who will use it.
Because creating a calmer space doesn’t always mean starting again.
Working on a refurbishment project? Take a look at our range of acoustic wall and ceiling solutions to see how you can introduce better acoustics while making the most of the space you already have.
