From reverb to tranquillity in Herbergier Kapel nursing home
In the care home Herbergier Kapel, housed in a former church, acoustics are of great importance for the comfort of residents and staff. However, the 150m² space, with its 7-metre high ceilings, suffered from disturbing reverberation that hindered a calm and pleasant atmosphere. To improve the quality of life, an effective acoustic solution was needed that was not only functional but also suited the unique character of the space.
The problem
Due to the height and the open character of the former church, sound continuously reflected off the hard surfaces. This resulted in a reverberation time of 1.4 seconds, which caused restlessness and an unpleasant sound level. In a care home, however, a calm environment is crucial for the well-being of the residents. The challenge was to reduce this reverberation and add a solution that would fit well with the beautiful space.
The solution
To address the acoustic problem, we opted for a combination of ZigZag Baffles and ceiling islands. The ZigZag Baffle is a creative and high-quality acoustic solution. These baffles, made from glass wool, are suspended from the ceiling in a playful ZigZag pattern, which not only improves the acoustics but also creates a visually appealing effect. The baffles are hung vertically and by placing them alternately, a unique pattern is created that fits perfectly in the space. Additionally, four ceiling islands have been glued to the walls, providing extra sound absorption. In total, 45m² of absorption surface has been installed. Thanks to this measure, the reverberation time has been significantly reduced from 1.4 seconds to a comfortable 0.9 seconds.
The challenge
The biggest challenge of this project was combining effective sound insulation with maintaining the historical and open appearance of the chapel. The height of 7 metres and the large, open space made it difficult to find a solution that was both aesthetically pleasing and acoustically functional. The ZigZag Baffles provided the perfect balance between acoustic performance and visual harmony, without dominating the space.
The result
The acoustic measures resulted in a clear improvement, reducing the reverberation time to 0.9 seconds. This created a much calmer and more pleasant environment for both the residents and the staff. The client is very satisfied with the final result. Our products not only provide excellent acoustics but also add a visual enhancement to the space.
