Solutions for reverberation are treated on a room to room basis, there is no set amount required for a certain size, or for specific shapes for there are multiple structural properties that can shape the soundscape. The volume of the room by size is a significant factor, but there is also the geometry of the room and how it creates different reflections, and there is the material make-up of the space, whether it is breeze block walls or full glass partitions – each reacts to sound differently. It is easy to recognise when reverberation is an issue for anyone struggling to communicate will make it evident even if not direct, hard reflective spaces like sports halls are an excellent example of where excessive reverb is problematic – mainly when it is used for assemblies of pupils or used as lecture and event talks. In short, there is no immediate answer to these particular questions without knowing the following:

The room size.

Geometry, for instance, pitched roof with an octagon shape would have a completely different trajectory of sound than a simple rectangle room with a flat roof.

What each surface has as a building material, for instance, a polished wooden floor with exposed breezeblock walls and a wood panel ceiling.

First we aim to create an estimated acoustic modelling of the room or look to carry out an Acoustic Test, we then we look at required levels alongside your budget in mind for introducing Suspended Note™ to your space and discussing visual requirements to how you would like each Note™ to appear in terms of colour scheme and their arrangement.

ScreenNote™ is for the reduction of reverberation and not for sound transmission, the difference is whether the noise is created and heard as problematic internally – reverb, or from another room to where it travels through walls, floors or ceilings, sound transmission. Reverb requires sound absorption like our ScreenNote™ or the rest featured in our Note™, and sound transmission needs sound proofing like those featured in our MuteRange. For effective sound control across almost any environment is a combination of both of these to assure the best acoustic quality possible across spaces and internally.

ScreenNote™ is made of 100% Polyester Fibres which makes it safe for almost any internal application for there are not exposed irritants or loose fibres – of this 65% comes from Post Consumer Recycled Content with 35% from Pre Consumer Recycled PET fibres.

Fire Rating is measured under EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009: B – s1, d0.

We talk a lot of workspaces focusing on office environments creating an open-plan arrangement – but the culinary space is too, exposed ceilings, minimal internal designs with hard finished surfaces and with an open style kitchen area which creates a visually stunning environment that aims to encourage interaction and a display of theatre to the cooking process. But this comes with the noise that the kitchen creates and if this often loud environment it is reverberated around the dining area this would lead to intolerance of interaction between customers potentially damaging the experience. ScreenNote™ works as a beautifully sophisticated and sleek design that works well against restaurant and café installations, our only recommendation to start is to use darker colour schemes in areas where vapour and smoke are expected to avoid any staining appearing over time.

ScreenNote™ is relatively straightforward to install as there is no assembly required, suspension wires are provided in their recommended quantity with each size of panel fitted.

Multiple shapes can be cut out of our ScreenNote™, so whether you want Pentagons, Heptagons or Dodecahedrons – we can cut them as part of the customisation process, they can all be done in a range of colours in a single space or just a unique colour scheme throughout – it is your choice!

Design & Material Specification

We will provide a technical report and detailed design drawings/plans with the results of the acoustic survey. Contained in the report and drawings will be detailed and precise specifications to control noise levels and sound issues within the space. All are presented in an easy and accessible format so the client can understand the theory behind the design.

To find out exactly what room or building acoustics would work best for your sector and service, get in touch via the contact form or call us to discuss your project with our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Although every client has unique requirements, there are a few common problems that can be found in many room acoustic set-ups; these issues can seriously hamper performance. Examples include:

• Excessive hard surfaces

• Multiple noise sources

• High ceilings

We have years of experience in finding convenient, cost-effective solutions for these common room acoustics issues.

Where do room acoustics matter?

Many people consider building acoustics to be an issue that is associated with a few specific industries and environments. In fact, we work with companies from all sectors to ensure that their room acoustics are suitable to help keep their working environment and employees as productive as possible.

The diverse industrial sectors and environments we’ve helped to develop first-class room acoustics for include:

The office can often be a demanding environment with multiple functions and layouts such as open-plan offices, call centres, and meeting and conference rooms. Given that acoustic comfort in the working environment is a large factor in the productivity and morale of the staff, it is essential to get the acoustic design right. Good acoustic panelling provides acoustic comfort which supports and encourages clear interactions, and acoustic privacy while also allowing staff and employees to concentrate on their various tasks.

Good acoustics in schools and other similar environments such as universities are essential to enable effective teaching and learning. Allowing for the teacher’s voice to be projected but not allowing the space to feel harsh or tedious for the students using it. Due to the vast increase in the subjects schools and universities teach there can be various acoustic issues when that can be avoided during the design phase of the project.

Due to the importance of good learning environments, there has been a lot of research on the subject. Subsequently, school buildings have been added in to the building regulations Approved in Document E and all new and extended school buildings have to comply with Building Bulletin 93 – Acoustic Design of schools: Performance Standards.

Here at NOVA Acoustics Ltd, we can provide sustainable and imaginative acoustic building designs that will not only achieve the specified criteria but also inspire students for years to come.

Many restaurant owners would describe a busy restaurant as a happy restaurant, having the happy buzz of patrons in conversation while eating some of the finest food is often the sign of a good restaurant.

However if the acoustics of the hospitality suite or restaurant do not provide the right amount of absorption and acoustic comfort, diners will often feel that they did not enjoy the time they spent in the establishment. People feel overwhelmed by loud and invasive background noise, but when the sound environment is too quiet it becomes uncomfortable and reclusive.

There are thousands of restaurant reviews stating that the acoustics and loudness of the establishment hurt the dining experience, so getting the right balance between happy buzz and excessive noise is key for a successful restaurant. We provide acoustic panelling solutions that keep your customers happy.

Sports halls and similar spaces such as village halls are often known for harsh acoustic conditions and large reverberation times (over 5 seconds) due to the large areas of hard and reflective surfaces. Adding in intense sporting activities and large audiences or groups of spectators, the local village/sports hall can quickly become an overwhelming acoustic environment.

However this should not be the case, NOVA Acoustics Ltd can provide clear and decisive acoustic strategies for upgrading existing sports/village hall or help design innovative recreational spaces from the ground up.

Auditoria and Cinemas have four main design goals in terms of acoustics: High levels of sound insulation Low background noise from ventilation and machinery and even balanced spatial acoustics to provide a consistent and immersive environment from any position in the room and high intelligibility of speech. NOVA Acoustics Ltd can provide acoustic designs and soundproofing to ensure your auditorium or cinema is the best it can be creating an immersive watching experience whether in a private home cinema or large cinema complex.

Churches and other places of worship can often be challenging places to design or upgrade as there is always the trade-off between a space designed for public speaking and sermons versus a space designed for singing and choirs.

A collaboration of physical acoustic treatment and directive loudspeakers can achieve the best solution for most spaces. NOVA Acoustics Ltd believes that the right balance can be found and contemporary places of worship should be designed around clear and concise communication whether this is singing, verbal or emotional. That is why our acoustic room design consultants aim to design acoustic schemes and treatments to suit the preferences of the people using the church or place of worship.

Studios can often be complicated spaces with a varied range of acoustic characteristics dependent on the specific use of the studio whether it’s audio, visual or rehearsal. With the progression of music and visual software along with a fast-moving culture almost any space can be considered suitable for a studio.

It is often the case that studios require large amounts of absorption with specific dimensions and placement. The room also needs to act acoustically diffuse to achieve good sound quality throughout the space. Therefore a bespoke acoustic design is required and may be dependent on room size, room use, the type of equipment used as well as the surrounding spaces adjacent to the studio space.

NOVA Acoustics Ltd offers specific acoustic testing of various room characteristics such as impulse response, room mode analysis and reverb time. We also offer tailored studio design for your space and all your creative needs.

Health sector buildings can be extremely susceptible to bad acoustics due to their busy nature and number of hard surfaces. It is in everyone’s interest to make all patients and staff feel as comfortable as possible, with the acoustics of the building and its rooms being a key factor. All announcements must be intelligible to ensure that staff can respond most efficiently. Many psychological and physiological effects can affect the wellbeing of patients, with studies indicating that noisy environments can affect blood pressure, stress levels and quality of sleep. It is also important to consider patients’ privacy, confidentiality and dignity when designing the acoustics of a room.

Acoustics in healthcare environments are complex and require a careful, strategic design balancing competing interests such as visibility versus enclosure, surface maintenance versus sound absorption, and initial construction budget versus long-term value. Nevertheless, effective acoustical performance is a critical need for all types of healthcare facilities.

Here at NOVA Acoustics Ltd, we possess the expertise to assess the subjective sound quality of the environments and provide the right planning solutions to accommodate the calm and tranquillity that such a delicate environment desires.

Libraries are quiet spaces used for study and reading therefore it is assumed that no acoustic treatment or design work needs to be undertaken to create a comfortable space. However, this is not the case poor acoustics in libraries and other such spaces means that any noise is usually amplified and can often have the effect of disrupting the quiet atmosphere which is detrimental to the concentration and comfort of the library users.

There are some key aspects in the acoustics design of libraries these should include:

Concentration – Library’s need to be quieter than normal spaces to provide an immersive and distraction-free environment.

Privacy – acoustics privacy is paramount as libraries often have spaces for group study and other activities such as book readings. These events should not interrupt or disturb other library users.

Aesthetics – just because this specific space is used for studying and reading it doesn’t mean that it should be dull. Library’s need to be stimulating and interactive environments for all users whether old or young.

NOVA Acoustics provides a full range of acoustic testing as well as functional and aesthetically pleasing acoustic panelling for libraries and study spaces. Rest assured, you’ll discover a wall panel to absorb those unwanted sound waves – the perfect solution for cutting the noise down in your space.