Biophilic acoustics: A perfect marriage of form and function

Truly superb design is often created when form and function converge in a harmonious equilibrium – where features and products don’t prioritise one over the other, but complement each other. But for companies that specialise in products that are primarily functional – acoustics, for example – it can sometimes be difficult to achieve this balance.

One of the best ways to do so is through collaboration. In August this year, such a collaboration came to fruition: Autex Acoustics and Emma Hayes, the creative director of design company Emma Hayes Textiles, came together to develop a new range of nature-inspired acoustics that marry Autex Acoustic's specialist products with Emma’s beautiful artwork.

The result of this teamwork between the two companies is a combination of beautiful designs with high performance acoustic solutions – utilising the best attributes of both brands.

Alex Buckman, a senior design consultant at Autex Acoustics, says the new range came about after the company saw Emma’s work firsthand in a project they were both working on – a commercial fit-out for law firm Meredith Connell.

“Before any talks about collaboration, some of Emma’s work was printed onto one of our acoustic panels in this Meredith Connell project,” says Alex, “and it was one of the most successful prints that I’d ever seen done on our printer with our product.

“Emma’s watercolour, nature-inspired designs worked really well with the way we print and the acoustic substrate we print onto. So after that, we decided we wanted to properly collaborate with her on a full range.”

“After that initial ‘preliminary’ collaboration, I was keen to work with Autex Acoustics again,” says Emma Hayes, the director of Emma Hayes Textiles. “Obviously we deal with wall coverings all the time, but we were really interested in adding an additional technical, functional element to our offering – and acoustic was a great fit.

“It turned out to be a great way to combine form and function.”

Created to help build environments with a natural feel, the collection includes eight designs that are printed onto acoustic panels, designed to help form places of beauty with innovative acoustic treatments. The primary goal, Emma says, is to introduce subtle character while creating a space where anyone can achieve a sense of calm, focus and serenity.

“Taking inspiration from the initial Meredith Connell project, which used biophilic design extensively, we’ve brought that sensibility through to this range – every piece is inspired by New Zealand’s natural environment and beauty."

Both Autex Acoustics and Emma wanted to keep the natural environment at the heart of the range. The collection challenges the nature of traditional acoustic material with discreet functionality – literally bringing the notion of ‘quiet decoration’ to a space. Alex says the platforming of nature in the design also echoes both companies’ emphasis on sustainability.

“If you take biophilic design from a wider perspective, sustainability still fits within that,” says Alex. “And Emma’s work is almost a visual representation of what we’re trying to achieve acoustically – which is enhancing the wellbeing of the inhabitants of the space.

“In my mind, that’s biophilic design as well. Emma’s design makes you feel more connected to nature, and our acoustic panels do that in a similar way by creating an audibly calm, soft and inviting environment.”

Since the beginning of its development, sustainable product design was at the core of the Autex Acoustics x Emma Hayes collaboration. The entire range is carbon neutral – reflecting both companies’ desires to reduce their impact on the environment. This was an especially significant consideration for Emma when the notion of the collaboration came up.

“We have been long inspired by Autex Acoustics, their innovation in product development and creating sustainable and ethical acoustic solutions,” she says. “I’m impressed with Autex Acoustics' ongoing commitment in both upcycling and recycling products in order to extend its circularity, along with their exploration of new materials and processes in this space."

Learn more about Autex Acoustics and its collaboration with Emma Hayes Textiles.