Open-plan offices look modern and encourage collaboration, but they also pose real acoustic challenges. Conversations carry, phone calls interrupt focus and reverberation makes spaces feel noisy. You can design for excellent acoustic performance without sacrificing aesthetics. Combining high-quality acoustic panelling, smart soft furnishings and considered layout gives measurable improvements in privacy, speech clarity and employee wellbeing. 

This guide covers practical techniques, technical pointers and design trends to help you deliver commercial-grade acoustic solutions across projects in Melbourne and Australia-wide.

Why Acoustics Matter in Open-Plan Offices 

Poor acoustics reduce productivity, increase stress and raise complaint levels. Speech privacy matters for confidential discussions, while background noise affects concentration and comprehension. Acoustic treatments change how sound behaves in a room by absorbing or diffusing energy and by limiting sound transfer between spaces. Measurable improvements reduce reverberation time, raise speech privacy ratings and lower sound pressure levels for occupants.

Key Acoustic Metrics

• Reverberation Time (RT60): Time for sound to decay by 60 dB. Shorter RT60 generally equals clearer speech and less masking. Target RT60 depends on space size. For small meeting areas aim for roughly 0.4 to 0.6 seconds. For larger open-plan zones 0.6 to 0.8 seconds is a reasonable goal.
• Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC): Average absorption across mid frequencies expressed 0 to 1.0. Higher NRC means better absorption.
• Sound Transmission Class (STC): Measures how well a partition reduces airborne sound between rooms. Use STC-rated partitions for private rooms and meeting pods.
• Speech Privacy and Speech Intelligibility Ratings: Practical measures for how intelligible or private speech is within and between zones.

Acoustic Panelling: Where and How to Use It 

Wall and ceiling panels deliver the biggest acoustic gains per square metre. They absorb mid and high frequencies where most speech energy lies. 

Best Options:

• Fabric-wrapped panels: A versatile choice. Use mineral wool or PET core with a decorative fabric face. Look for tested NRC values and compliance with Australian fire and building codes. Panels can be fixed to walls or mounted as freestanding screens.
• Perforated timber or metal with acoustic backing: Offers a premium aesthetic while absorbing sound when combined with an absorbent backing. Use for feature walls where you need both visual warmth and acoustic control.
• Modular cloud and baffle systems for ceilings: Hanging clouds or baffles break up sound paths and absorb energy above workstations. They are effective over open work zones and meeting areas.
• Large-format acoustic art panels: Combine wayfinding or branding with performance. Use in lobbies and breakout spaces to reduce noise without losing style.

Placement Guidelines

Target early reflection points first. Place panels near workstations on side walls and over desk banks to intercept reflected sound.

Prioritise the plane closest to sources and receivers. Ceiling treatments work especially well in tall spaces or where wall space is limited.

Treat around meeting pods and phone booths. Panels behind screens and on adjacent walls reduce spill.

Avoid treating only one surface. Balanced absorption across walls and ceilings prevents an overly dead sound.

Technical Depths: Thickness, Core Material and Performance

• Core density and thickness influence low-frequency absorption. Thicker mineral wool or foam cores improve lower mid-frequency response.
• PET-based panels offer sustainable credentials and fire-retardant options. Verify test data for absorption coefficients across 125 to 4000 Hz.
• Edge detail and mounting method affect performance and aesthetics. Consider recessed or shadow gap installations for a premium finish.
• Always request manufacturer test data that shows absorption coefficients and NRC. Compare like for like.

Soft Furnishings: Noise Absorption Allies 

Curtains, blinds, upholstery and soft seating absorb sound and add texture. They also introduce visual comfort and flexibility.

• Curtains: Heavy, full-length curtains reduce sound reflection from glazed facades and control external noise intrusion. Velvet or multilayer curtains with acoustic interlining deliver higher absorption. Motorised curtain tracks integrate with Somfy systems for automatic daylight and acoustic control.
• Blinds and shutters: Soft-finish roller blinds or honeycomb blinds improve mid-frequency absorption. Solid shutters reduce transmission through windows and provide privacy. When motorised with Somfy, blinds can be scheduled to manage solar heat gain and acoustic needs at different times of day.
• Upholstery: Choosing dense, acoustically absorbent fabrics for seating and partitions makes a difference. Seat backs and booth linings provide pockets of quiet within the plan.
• Rugs and soft flooring: Large rugs under collaborative furniture reduce floor reflections and footsteps. For heavy-traffic zones balance durability and absorption.

Layout, Screens and Furniture as Acoustic Tools 

Acoustic performance is also a spatial strategy. Here are some guidelines:

• Zoning by activity: Cluster quiet work, collaborative zones and phone or meeting areas separately. Place noisy activities such as printing or kitchens away from concentration zones.
• Desk layout: Stagger desk banks rather than align them in contiguous rows to break direct speech paths.
• Screens and partitions: Freestanding acoustic screens do more than divide space. Use high NRC screens between desks and taller screens around meeting booths. Ensure screens are continuous to floor where privacy is required.
• Booths and pods: Acoustic booths with high STC and internal absorption create confidential spaces without full walls. Use ventilation and lighting designed for privacy booths.
• Ceiling height and variance: Vary ceiling heights to create acoustic boundaries. Lower ceilings over quiet zones help contain sound.

Integration with Building Systems and Motorisation 

Somfy motorised shading and curtains give precise control over daylight and acoustic conditions. Automated positioning cuts window reflections, reduces external noise and links with building systems for timed acoustic modes.

• Automated Control: Schedule curtain and blind positions for different occupancy patterns. At peak meeting times lower curtains on glazed walls to reduce reflections.
• Scene Integration: Tie Somfy motorisation into building management systems or smart controls so acoustic modes change with lighting, HVAC or occupancy sensors.
• Quiet Motors: Choose Somfy motors designed for office environments to avoid adding mechanical noise.

Materials, Fire Safety And Compliance 

All products must comply with Australian Standards and building codes. Ensure that you utilise:

• Fire-rated options: For high-occupancy spaces and public buildings, select fabrics and core materials that meet required flame retardancy and smoke standards.
• Acoustic test reports: Use manufacturer data that includes absorption coefficients and, for partitions, STC or Rw ratings.
• Durability and maintenance: Office fabrics should be cleanable and stain resistant. Outdoor awnings and roofing must resist UV, moisture and wind while providing acoustic benefits for alfresco dining zones.

Outdoor Acoustic Considerations 

Outdoor roofing and awnings often get overlooked, yet they impact noise for outdoor dining or breakout spaces.

• Absorptive underside linings: Line awnings with acoustic textiles to reduce reflected sound from surfaces and external road noise.
• Vegetation and screens: Combine planters and screens to deflect noise and add sound absorption.
• Roof Geometry: Angled or segmented roofing breaks up reflections and reduces focused sound.

Trends and Design Directions in Office Acoustics

Design and material choices now shape how offices sound as much as how they look. Trends favour natural, sustainable and integrated acoustic solutions that improve wellbeing while meeting performance and aesthetic goals.

• Biophilic and natural materials: Timber with acoustic backing, wool fabrics and plant-rich spaces remain popular for wellbeing and acoustic benefits.
• Sustainable and recycled acoustic panels and environmentally friendly shutters: PET panels made from recycled plastic or PET fibre offer strong performance and environmental credentials.
• Integrated design: Acoustic materials that double as branding, signage or art reduce clutter and deliver cohesive interiors.
• Smart acoustic systems: Automated shading, adaptive lighting and occupancy-driven acoustic modes are gaining traction in modern offices.

Measuring Success: Testing And Tuning 

Implement a pre-and post-installation plan.

• Baseline measurements: Measure RT60 and sound pressure levels with a calibrated meter before works begin.
• Target setting: Set RT60 and NRC goals appropriate to your space type and size.
• Post-install tuning: After installation, measure again and add targeted treatments as needed. Small additions such as rugs, screen extensions or extra panels often unlock the last increments of performance.

Practical Tips For Australian Projects

Follow these additional tips to make your project easier, more streamlined and efficient to support your success.

• Custom-made solutions: Specify panels and soft furnishings to match room dimensions and design intent, as well as being more durable. Off-the-shelf sizes rarely solve key reflection points.
• Full-service delivery: Use suppliers that provide design, supply and installation, including Somfy motorisation and integration. This streamlines approvals and site coordination.
• Local climate: For Melbourne and other Australian cities consider insulation and thermal performance alongside acoustics. Motorised shading reduces solar gain and can help with managing daytime acoustic comfort.
• Multi-sector experience: Hospitals, schools, offices, retail, and hospitality demand different performance. Choose suppliers with cross-sector experience to meet your brief precisely.

Open-plan offices can combine the best of collaboration and acoustic comfort. The secret is a layered strategy: robust panelling for core absorption, soft furnishings for finesse, and layout choices to control sound paths. Custom-made products, reversible installations and Somfy motorisation give operational flexibility and measurable results. Choose tested materials, work with suppliers who provide full design and installation, and commit to measurement so outcomes meet both aesthetic and acoustic goals. With the right approach your office will feel calmer, more private and more productive.

We Supply Design, Customisation and Installation Across Melbourne and Australia 

Allegra Interiors designs, custom-fits and install curtains, blinds, shutters, upholstery, wallpaper, outdoor awnings and roofing, acoustic panelling and Somfy motorisation for homes as well as commercial spaces, including hotels, restaurants, offices, hospitals, schools, universities and retail. Contact us to book your free site visit and start a high-performance, stylish acoustic upgrade.