Soundproofing: from technical solutions to sound-absorbing leather tiles

The technology allows us to isolate the noises to make open-spaces working more livable. 

Nowadays, finding moments and spaces of tranquility and silence is a real privilege, whether at home or in the office. Julian Treasure, the president of Sound Agency, a company that deals with sound-design and plans solutions for businesses and offices, believes that architects should invest more on the acoustic aspects of their projects.

In his TED Talk, Treasure explains: ‘the sound influeces us psychologically, cognitively and behaviorally. In particular, in the workplace, the office, we are three times less efficient in open-spaces than into a quiet room ‘ and he suggests the use of headphones as a quick fix to improve concentration. But what else can be done to improve the acoustics of the walls in the offices?

As we all know, distractions can come from an incredible variety of sources: the noise of photocopiers, telephones, computers or colleagues. Steve Jobs, as a great visionary who he has always been, in 1984, had analyzed the negative influence of noise in the efficiency of the staff and, therefore, for the launch of the first Macintosh computer, he insisted to exclude an internal cooling fan , relying on convection cooling.

In the same years was gradually asserting a new style for the interior design of offices : the tendency , still in vogue, was to opt for large, open spaces rather than single closed rooms . The reason that we now take for granted , was the progressive involvement of all corporate hierarchies in the company mission and this has led to the need to quickly and easily share all information , contacts, updates. Physical barriers such as walls and doors becomes an unnecessary obstacle that has been phased out . One first well-known case in London :Lloyds building by Richard Rogers. Initially attacked by critics because of its ‘ in and out ‘ aesthetic: services such as staircases , lifts, electrical conduits , water pipes were installed on the outside. We find the same philosophy in the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, the aim of this choice was twofold: on one hand to avoid internal structural constraints (ie walls and divisions ) , on the other hand to remove the noise of equipment and maintenance of the building by putting them outside. This innovative approach , in the end , overcame the criticism and led LIoyds to acquire Inglese Heritage in 2011 , becoming the youngest structure to achieve it.

In more recent times, in 2009, Steve Jobs called one of the most famous architects of the moment, Norman Foster, asking him the design of a future Apple campus in Cupertino, California.

The work is still in progress, but the finished structure , a building of 280 million square meters , will include a number of innovations including one of the largest solar panels in tIn his TED Talk, Treasure explains: ‘the sound influences us psychologically, cognitively and behaviorally. In particular, in the workplace, the office, we are three times less efficient in open-spaces than into a quiet room ‘ and he suggests the use of headphones as a quick fix to improve concentration. But what else can be done to improve the acoustics of the walls in the offices?

As we all know, distractions can come from an incredible variety of sources: the noise of photocopiers, telephones, computers or colleagues. Steve Jobs, as a great visionary who he has always been, in 1984, had analyzed the negative influence of noise in the efficiency of the staff and, therefore, for the launch of the firstMacintosh computer, he insisted to exclude an internal cooling fan , relying on convection cooling.

The world and a garage for electric cars with more than 100 charging stations . The acoustics of the building is one of the key factors that have led the project . Foster, in fact, has planned a ‘ soundwall ‘ along the north side of the freeway I-280 to protect the campus from the noise pollution caused by cars.

In this text we looked at a lot of technical solutions which, however, neglect the aesthetic appearance of the workplace . Lapèlle Design , the new brand of Scamosceria Astico tannery patented in 2012 a new system of acoustic insulation that , unlike other sound proofing coverings, take into consideration the design and elegance of the product. Lapèlle Design proposes , for the most exclusive interiors, leather tiles for walls and floors that provide an effective sound-absorbing shell and a unique design and personalized service.

To ensure each project its own unique tiles leather Lapèlle Design are available in shapes and sizes that you can find here. At this link is available our catalog in pdf format that can be helpful to learn more about the company and the Lapèlle Design collections.