The complete interview to read:
How common is poor room acoustics in existing buildings?
This issue is very common. Especially in existing school buildings, kindergartens, and offices, needs have changed significantly. Many rooms were planned at a time when communication, group work, and flexible use were less important than today.
Today, there is more talking, discussing, and collaborative work. This increases the demands on room acoustics. Therefore, existing rooms often need to be retrofitted to make learning and working more pleasant again.
What problems exist in old school buildings and office buildings?
Many older classrooms are built very spartanly. There are smooth walls, easy-to-clean floors, large window areas, and few soft materials. These surfaces reflect sound strongly.
Previously, teaching was often more frontal. Today, there is more group work, more interaction, and more movement in the room. This creates more noise. If acoustics were not considered, the room quickly becomes strenuous.
A similar picture emerges in offices. Due to new working methods, fewer cabinets, and more open spaces, there is often a lack of material that absorbs sound.
How do you recognize whether room acoustics are good or bad?
Poor room acoustics are usually noticeable when conversations sound loud and voices echo in the room. People have to concentrate more, get tired faster, and feel less comfortable.
There are two ways to check acoustics. On the one hand, you can do a reverberation measurement. This measures how long sound stays in the room. On the other hand, a room can be calculated based on its size, height, and materials.
Both help to find out if and how room acoustics should be improved.
What impact does poor room acoustics have on teaching and work?
If a room does not function well acoustically, concentration suffers above all. One gets tired faster, finds it harder to focus, and absorbs content less well.
In a classroom, this means: learning becomes more strenuous. Children have to exert more energy to listen. Teachers often speak louder, which makes the room even more restless.
It's similar in offices. Conversations, phone calls, and collaboration quickly become a burden if the room echoes too much.
What options are there to improve room acoustics in existing rooms?
In existing rooms, ceiling solutions are often particularly useful. The ceiling is not used as a work surface, does not block paths, and offers a lot of space for effective acoustic measures.
Ceiling baffles or suspended PET panels can significantly reduce reverberation. Because they can be mounted at a distance from the ceiling, their effect is often particularly strong.
Wall panels or mobile acoustic elements can also help. Which solution fits depends on how the room is used and where the noise originates.
Are mobile acoustic elements useful?
Mobile acoustic elements are particularly exciting for flexible learning and working spaces. They can be moved to where group work, exchange, or concentrated work is taking place.
In the classroom, mobile elements can help to separate groups visually and acoustically. At the same time, they can be used as a bulletin board or presentation surface.
Thus, they are not only sound absorbers but also a practical design element in everyday life.
Why are PET acoustic panels suitable for renovations?
PET acoustic panels are lightweight and therefore easy to use in existing buildings. This is a great advantage, especially with older ceilings or lighter constructions.
In addition, there are the design possibilities. PET panels are available in various colors and shapes. This allows room acoustics to be improved without the room appearing technical or impersonal.
Another advantage: High-quality PET panels do not emit unpleasant odors or pollutants. This is particularly important in schools, kindergartens, and offices.
How quickly can acoustic solutions be implemented?
Many acoustic solutions can be implemented relatively quickly. If standard panels are available and it is not a very large quantity, deliveries and installations are often possible within a few weeks.
For existing rooms, this is a great advantage. Room acoustics can be improved without the need for extensive renovation.
Shapes, colors, and cuts can also be flexibly adjusted depending on the product.
How important is the interplay of acoustics and room design?
Acoustics and room design are closely linked. A room should not just be quieter. It should also be designed in such a way that people enjoy learning, working, and interacting there.
Especially modern work environments and learning environments thrive on encounters and collaboration. For this collaboration to work, spaces that sound pleasant and feel good are needed.
A good acoustic solution should therefore always also fit the room design.
How complex is the retrofitting of acoustic panels?
Retrofitting is usually simpler than many think. Mobile elements can be placed in the room like furniture. Wall or ceiling panels require a bit more installation effort but are also easy to retrofit.
It is important that the fastening is done professionally. Especially with ceiling installations, someone with experience should be involved. Basically, however, PET panels can be installed in almost any existing room.
What mistakes should be avoided?
The biggest mistake is to simply install a few panels and hope that it's enough. This quickly creates a patchwork. In the end, an investment was made, but the effect is not convincing.
It is better to first clarify the problem precisely. Where does the noise originate? How is the room used? What should be improved? Only then should it be decided which surfaces to treat and which products are suitable.
Anyone who wants to improve room acoustics should therefore not only think about material but about proper planning.
What changes do schools and offices notice after the improvement?
After a good acoustic measure, reverberation decreases. As a result, people have to speak less loudly to be understood. This in turn reduces the overall volume in the room.
Many rooms then appear calmer, more concentrated, and more pleasant. In classrooms, this can relieve the burden of teaching. In offices, it improves conversations, focus, and collaboration.
Often, the difference is immediately noticeable as soon as you enter the room.
What is the most important tip for existing rooms?
The most important tip is: analyze first, then plan. Anyone who understands the problem and the use of the room will almost always find a suitable solution.
It doesn't have to be complicated. Even existing school buildings and offices can be significantly improved with targeted measures. It is important to address the issue and not wait until noise permanently becomes a burden.
Conclusion: Improving room acoustics is worthwhile even in existing buildings
Many existing school buildings, kindergartens, and offices were not built for today's learning and working methods. More interaction, group work, and open room concepts lead to greater strain on room acoustics.
With ceiling panels, mobile acoustic elements, or PET panels, existing rooms can often be effectively improved. The decisive factor is to first understand the problem and then choose the appropriate solution.
Anyone who wants to improve room acoustics creates quieter rooms, better concentration, and more well-being.
