The science behind better spaces: Acoustic Solutions Store’s end-to-end approach

When most people think about solving acoustics, installing ceiling panels and decorative wall tiles tend to come to mind. But simply adding products to a space won’t always solve the problem. Effective acoustics require a deeper understanding of how sound behaves within a room, and how materials, layouts and design all work together.

Directors Damon Hiley, Mitch Atkins and Mike Dunn.

Acoustic Solutions Store’s acoustic appraisal measures how sound behaves in your space, models it against New Zealand and Australian standards, and projects what different solutions will achieve. From there, the same team handles specification, supply, project management and install across New Zealand and Australia.

This educational component has become one of the company’s greatest strengths, giving clients confidence not only in the products being specified, but in the results being achieved.

“People can find the right materials, but they don’t always have the confidence that what they’re doing is actually going to solve their problem,” says Mike Dunn, Managing Director at Acoustic Solutions Store. “People don’t necessarily have an acoustic panel problem; they have a business problem or an experience problem. We bridge that gap.”

Those searching for ‘acoustic panels’ are likely looking to solve a far greater issue:

Restaurant visitors struggling to hold conversations
Employees unable to focus in open-plan offices
Poor speech clarity during online meetings
Reverberation making spaces uncomfortable to work or social in

“Every room is different, but we follow a very consultative and bespoke approach with our customers. All use cases are different, all expectations are different, and all budgets and aesthetics are different. We give our clients confidence in not only what needs to be done, but how we will do it successfully,” says Mike.

“The beauty of Autex materials is they’re completely customisable. Depending on budget, we can do almost anything that someone can imagine because the material can be printed, it can be formed into three dimensional shapes. The world’s your oyster.”

Bridging the gap between the manufacturer, designer and end user, Acoustic Solutions Store has become much more than a product supplier. Through consultancy, technical expertise and project delivery, the team helps clients create spaces that sound as good as they look.

Balancing performance, design and budget

In hospitality spaces where conversations overlap, acoustics can be a challenge. Balancing the venue’s style and identity with practical and high-performing acoustics can also be challenging.

Case study: Duo Café

Known for its warm atmosphere and inviting design, this café in Birkenhead faced this challenge: hard surfaces and a lively dining environment were creating excess reverberation, making conversations less comfortable during busy periods.

Following a detailed acoustic appraisal, Acoustic Solutions Store worked with the interior’s existing timber battens to install 12 custom Autex Mirage panels in Opera Lapis. The result is a calmer, more enjoyable dining environment where guests can actually hear each other, and an acoustic solution that feels cohesive with the space.

Installed at Duo Café in Birkenhead, the intention was to enhance the space without interrupting its character.

The subtle texture brings a striking layer of sophistication while delivering exceptional acoustic performance.

Case study: Wiggins Group head office

In workplaces, glass, hard floors, open ceilings, all the hallmarks of a great-looking office, and all the ingredients for a challenging acoustic environment.

The modern, open-plan Wiggins Group head office was experiencing exactly this and approached Acoustic Solutions Store with the goal of bringing the noise down across the open workspace. The result is a perfectly considered install: a flowing, sculptural acoustic treatment using Autex 3D Savoye Tiles that act as a centrepiece, reducing noise levels and creating an environment where the team can focus and work productively.