a home from home
Julian de Metz, Director at dMFK, said: “Our goal was to create not only a beautiful and functional space, but also a home-from-home sanctuary that would encourage staff to spend time in over remote working.
To compete with the comforts afforded by home, we needed to create a beautiful space where the ambiance matched the surroundings. There were several acoustic challenges, as the building featured an array of hard surfaces which combine to create a lively acoustic environment.
The resultant noise levels can cause undue stress and distraction, making it difficult for staff to focus and converse. We needed a solution that could soak up sound energy, creating a softness that would promote focus and wellbeing, whilst still feeling homely.”
the sound solution
Ben Hancock, Managing Director at Oscar Acoustics, said:
“With decades of experience in providing acoustic solutions for busy commercial office spaces, we knew that SonaSpray K-13 Special, from our acoustic spray range, was the ideal solution. It significantly reduces noise reverberation by absorbing sound instead of reflecting it.
We applied it in a stunning light grey to the ceilings of the areas with the greatest potential for excess noise – the communal areas, large meeting rooms, and co-working spaces.
Our team’s specialist experience made for a smooth installation process, easily meeting the project’s tight programme.”
green and clean
As an ISO 14001 accredited company, sustainability and the use of healthy materials were key components for dMFK.
Ben commented: “Our SonaSpray range is ideally suited to low-carbon projects as it is made from recycled materials and is M1 Classified as a Low Emitting Building Material. It contributes towards many sustainable design and health certification systems including BREEAM, and adds up to 17 points towards the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating of a project.”
Staff safety was also a key concern. Hancock commented: “We’re extremely proud of SonaSpray’s fire safety credentials. It’s one of the few acoustic sprays on the market that goes above and beyond Approved Document B fire requirements.”
SonaSpray Eco+ used in dMFK’s materials lab
Discover ‘Downstairs at dMFK’ – a bright, adaptable materials lab featuring SonaSpray Eco+ beneath dMFK’s Fitzrovia headquarters at 76 Charlotte Street.
What was once a dim, 2,000 sq. ft. basement has been reimagined as a well-lit, living sample library and ‘Materials Lab’ for this pioneering architectural and interiors practice. It serves as a hidden retreat, and an adaptable space for both focused work, learning about materials and corporate hospitality.
