The way we experience spaces is shaped not only by what we see, but also by what we hear – and what we don’t. While the ability to hear clearly is fundamental to successful interpersonal communications, noise can hinder connection with others and have negative effects on the well-being of the occupants, and their ability to focus, be productive or – simply – be comfortable.
That said, traditionally acoustic solutions have often been relegated to purely functional roles, overlooked as opportunities for creative expression or sustainability enhancements. But this paradigm is shifting as more architects, designers, and specifiers recognise the importance of optimum acoustics as fundamental aspects of their designs and the growing ambition to create enduring, healthy and comfortable interiors where occupants can thrive.
HERADESIGN®, a collection of high-performance wood wool acoustic panels, embodies this shift. This exceptional range of ceiling and wall solutions offers a comprehensive blend of sustainability, design flexibility, and outstanding acoustic performance, and has been available locally through Armstrong Ceilings, one of HERADESIGN®'s distributors in Australia.
Previously, Armstrong Ceilings’ HERADESIGN® range included Direct Mount and Lay-In Panels – along with their Alpha+ versions featuring sound-absorbing fleece backing for superior acoustic performance of up to NRC 0.90 – and the decorative Baffle Element Profile. Now, the company has expanded its offering with HERADESIGN® Creative Shapes, Creative Line and Creative Effect, further enhancing the range’s outstanding design possibilities.
Here, we dive deeper into the design of these superior products and explore the unique benefits HERADESIGN® offers architects, designers, and the end users.
A legacy of excellence
When HERADESIGN® first launched in Europe in the early 20th century in its most basic form, it brought the innovative composition of wood and wool to the forefront. The next couple of decades were defined by a dynamic transformation and in 1935 the perfected products went on to transform the global architecture and design industry.
Over the years, the HERADESIGN® acoustic solutions have been specified on some of the most prestigious architectural projects from Japan and America to Finland and South Africa, demonstrating their exceptional potential to stand the test of time. What makes this range of acoustic design solutions so appealing?
Acoustic solution that has it all
In a nutshell, the high-performing HERADESIGN® acoustic panels are crafted from 100% renewable materials that offer exceptional design flexibility, outstanding sound absorption and unmatched sustainability profile.
“With various textures and finishes, these panels enhance acoustic comfort, enable unrivalled design freedom and align with sustainability design goals,” explains Erich Zeidler, Armstrong Ceilings’ Marketing & Product Executive. “As a result, the designers can enjoy complete flexibility in bringing their creative vision to life, and the end users benefit from reduced noise levels, improved well-being, and ease of maintenance. Plus, the panels meet stringent fire safety standards, making them a practical, sophisticated and reliable choice for both residential and commercial spaces.”
Erich adds that due to the organic character of the panels’ main components of HERADESIGN® – wood, water, and natural magnesite – the products stand out as a natural and environmentally-forward solution. “The original design vision for HERADESIGN® was to create a sustainable acoustic solution,” he says. “That was the primary goal, and sustainability continues to be one of the most defining characteristics of HERADESIGN®’s composition.”
These acoustic solutions undeniably embody this ambitious philosophy. The panels achieved Cradle-to-Cradle Certified Gold and are manufactured exclusively with timber that is sourced from sustainable forests and both PEFC and FSC®-certified. In addition, the products are made of 100% natural or renewable raw materials, which are utilised in their entirety in the zero-waste production process. They’re also 100% recyclable. But that’s not all.
“HERADESIGN® panels have a proven lifespan of over 80 years and they are completely demountable, repaintable and reusable,” Erich adds. “Plus, they’re also a Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certified product, and each panel comes with an associated EPD.”
HERADESIGN® Creative Shapes: The sound of unlimited creativity
That said, the HERADESIGN® panels are so much more than a high-performing environmental acoustic solution. They’re a gateway to a genuine creative exploration and unmatched design flexibility, as the panels come in various styles, and can be finished in virtually any colour and cut into any shape.
And while all of the HERADESIGN® products are engineered with ultimate design flexibility in mind, the HERADESIGN® Creative range in particular empowers architects and designers to craft extraordinary environments that fuse functionality with artistic expression.
“The HERADESIGN® Creative Shapes, Lines, and Effects offer limitless creative freedom while providing exceptional acoustic performance,” Erich says. “Each product is available in a range of patterns, colours, and textures, enabling designers to create bespoke and visually stunning interiors. This flexibility in design enhances both aesthetics and functionality, while maintaining excellent sound absorption and impact resistance.”
The Creative Shapes encourage designers to transcend the ordinary with a captivating array of geometric shapes. The range boasts a selection of triangles, hexagons, diamonds, circles and strips, enabling project teams to create bespoke ceiling and wall designs that are visually dynamic and acoustically superior.
In the Creative Line range, subtlety meets impact with simple rhythms of twelve milled line patterns designed to bring depth and texture to any surface. With varying angles, widths and depths, the panels yield captivating designs that merge stunning aesthetics with HERADESIGN®’s signature acoustic benefits.
The Creative Effects range, on the other hand, is the perfect tool for imaginative designers looking to make a powerful visual statement. With striking milled patterns emulating the shapes of waves, grooves, bubbles and even a turtle shell, the panels offer a unique creative opportunity to transform any surface into a mesmerising work of art.
“All three ranges come in a wide array of RAL colours, enabling designers to achieve their desired aesthetic,” Erich explains and adds that their team has appropriate tools to ensure the perfect colour match. “The products can be finished in almost any colour. Plus, while we offer a broad range of different sizes and shapes, the panels can be cut and edge-finished using standard woodworking tools, so the shapes of the panels can be customised, and bespoke designs can be easily fabricated on-site.”
Erich adds that all panels are available in two stunning textures – Fine and Superfine – that were curated specifically for the Australian market because of their perfect fusion of visual and tactile appeal and acoustic absorption performance. But these refined textures also showcase the panels’ unique bonding technology – HERADESIGN® is the only wood wool product made using continuous band forming technology, which enables production with incredible thickness tolerances of only +/- 1 mm, ensuring perfect dimensional accuracy.
The magnesite binder benefit
This outstanding creative potential is reinforced by the superior performance and durability of the panels. And the panels’ magnesite binder is one of the design elements responsible for their superior character.
“Magnesite is the ideal binder for wood wool because it protects the fibres and keeps them permanently elastic, which improves their impact resistance,” Erich explains. In fact, the panels were subjected to a sports crash test of speeds up to 85 km/h which they passed with excellent results. Plus, due to the binder’s unique qualities, the panels are hygroscopic, which translates into excellent absorbance and regulation of moisture and humidity.
A high-performing acoustic solution for any interior
This array of benefits makes the panels an ideal acoustic solution for virtually any space. The unique combination of sustainability, performance and creative potential means that HERADESIGN® products can be integrated as part of the most imaginative or ambitious architectural vision – be it an open plan office, a retail or hospitality space, an educational facility, auditorium or a basketball court.
This versatility of application is further enhanced by the panels’ diverse installation options. Depending on the specific application and desired performance, the panels can be installed in new T-bar suspended grid systems designed to support their weight, directly mounted to studs or furring channels, or even adhered directly to plasterboard or concrete. Once installed, their low-maintenance nature becomes wonderfully evident – a simple soft brush is usually sufficient to keep them dust-free, even in demanding environments. Plus, every panel meets or exceeds relevant Australian Standards, achieves a best-in-class Group 1 fire certification, and is bolstered by a 7-year warranty against visible sagging, warping, and latent manufacturing defects, emerging as a truly exceptional acoustic solution.
Through this harmonious blend of sustainability, design flexibility, and exceptional acoustic performance, HERADESIGN® is an exceptional design tool revolutionising the way we experience spaces. With a rich heritage dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, these panels have proven their enduring quality, adaptability and relevance, remaining at the forefront of acoustic innovation in the face of shifting design trends.
Armstrong Ceiling’s recent introduction of Creative Shapes, Creative Line, and Creative Effects amplifies the design possibilities of the HERADESIGN® range available as part of their offer, empowering architects and designers to craft bespoke acoustic solutions that prioritise aesthetics, sustainability and occupant well-being. Whether it's educational interiors, commercial spaces, or high-impact sports environments, HERADESIGN® panels offer a sustainable solution that not only enhances comfort and connection but redefines the potential of acoustics as a powerful creative tool.
