Architects seek green innovations in acoustic solutions
Written by
02 July 2024
•
4 min read
The drive towards sustainable design is unmistakable. Whether you are an architect, interior designer, installer, builder or manufacturer, there is a collective shift towards practices that emphasise reducing waste and enhancing the lifecycle of materials. This shift responds to environmental concerns and the growing demand for products that contribute to a healthier planet.
“Our industry is prioritising sustainable practices and seeking designs that help close the loop and focus on end-of-life solutions,” says Sam Wells, Product Development Lead at Autex Acoustics. “This holistic approach to sustainability ensures that every phase of a product's life, from creation to disposal, is handled with the environment in mind.”
Industry trends and the push for sustainability
There is significant industry momentum for more sustainable practices. “The design and construction industry recognises that construction waste makes up a significant portion of total waste going to landfills in New Zealand,” remarks Wells.
“As manufacturers, we feel it's our responsibility to provide solutions that help deal with the products we create at the end of the life cycle.”
This proactive stance taken by companies like Autex Acoustics highlights the role of industry leaders in driving change, even in the absence of strict regulatory frameworks within New Zealand. It underscores the importance of corporate responsibility in achieving sustainability goals.
Meeting consumer and architect demands
Architects often drive the demand for sustainable solutions, according to Wells. These professionals are at the forefront of design innovation, making crucial decisions about materials and their long-term impacts.
“We find that the push for sustainable solutions often comes from architects. They consider the impact of materials on their client’s immediate and long-term wellbeing and the environmental impact.”
“Architects are specifying products that ensure either the longevity or ‘repurposability’ of materials,” says Wells.
This trend signifies an industry shift in which design decision-makers are considering not only aesthetics but also the environmental footprint of their choices.
Sustainable innovations in acoustics
In response to this industry trend and the company’s own environmental concerns. Autex Acoustics has introduced two revolutionary products that exemplify its commitment to sustainability: SpinFix and ReForm.
1. SpinFix is a glueless mounting system designed to install acoustic panels without adhesives or nails. “Using palletising technology, SpinFix repurposes offcuts from the manufacturing line, transforming them into pellets that can be shaped into various products,” says Wells.
“This system involves plastic clips that, when drilled onto an acoustic panel, create a friction weld, eliminating the need for glue. “This allows for the entire panel, including the clips, to be recycled at the end of its life, ensuring complete circularity,” Wells explains.
2. ReForm addresses the pressing issue of building waste by taking old acoustic panels and manufacturing offcuts and turning them into new panels. This process not only reduces waste but also creates a product that is both high-quality and sustainable.
“ReForm is about taking materials at the end of their life and giving them a new purpose. It’s a perfect example of closing the loop in material usage,” says Wells.
Project Feature - Meredith Connell Auckland Office
Litigation firm Meredith Connell approached Jasmax to design its new Auckland office; Autex Acoustics was selected as the supply specialist for its stringent acoustic design requirements.
Soundproofing enables people to hear one another, reducing overall stress and ensuring privacy. As Meredith Connell managing partner Steve Haszard explains, “Our 160 lawyers are dealing with some of the most sensitive criminal matters in New Zealand, and there must be no possibility of anything being overheard even within our office. Sound security is essential to us. In addition, we need absolute sound clarity within our secure spaces.”
Haszard confirms the new office’s successful acoustic outcome, “During Covid, the courts went online. Yet, to my knowledge, there was not a single issue raised by the judiciary, opposing counsel or anyone else connected to Meredith Connell’s secure meeting room—and Autex Acoustics technology was a major part of our court work being as unaffected as possible during lockdown.”
The journey towards sustainability in design is ongoing. Still, with industry leaders like Autex Acoustics paving the way, there is hope for a future where every product contributes positively to the environment. Through its innovative solutions, SpinFix and Reform, Autex Acoustics addresses current sustainability challenges and sets a benchmark for others to follow.