from the series "Acoustics, ceilings, wall coverings - TRENDS 2026"
Until recently, interior design focused primarily on aesthetics, ergonomics and durability of materials. Today, however, more and more attention is being paid to the quality of the indoor environment and its impact on the daily functioning of users. One of the important elements of this environment is acoustics. Acoustic comfort has a direct impact on concentration, well-being and the efficiency of work and study. In spaces with high sound levels or excessive reverberation, users experience fatigue more quickly, and communication becomes difficult. For this reason, acoustic issues are increasingly becoming an integral part of interior design.
acoustic booths
© MILA
Acoustic challenges of modern architecture
Contemporary interiors are often designed in the spirit of minimalism, using materials such as glass, architectural concrete, metal or smooth drywall. While these solutions fit well with current aesthetic trends, at the same time they can promote acoustic problems.
Hard surfaces reflect sound waves, leading to reverberation and increased noise levels in the room. Under such conditions, sounds linger in the space longer and overlap, making communication difficult. This problem is particularly evident in spaces with large volumes or open functional layouts.
This includes open-space offices, educational institutions, restaurants, hotels or public buildings. In such places, the proper shaping of the acoustic environment is crucial to the comfort of users.
Until a dozen years ago, acoustic solutions were mainly associated with specialized spaces, such as recording studios or concert halls. Today, they are increasingly becoming an element of interior design in everyday spaces as well.
Modern acoustic panels can take various forms - from wall and ceiling panels to spatial installations or decorative modules. Thus, they allow not only to improve the acoustic parameters of a room, but also to be part of the architectural composition.
An example of such solutions are the systems offered by MILA Sp. z o.o. within the MILACUSTIC line. These products combine effective sound absorption with wide arrangement possibilities, making it possible to match the forms and colors of the panels to the character of the designed space.
felt panels
© MILA
Use in work and education spaces
Appropriate acoustics are particularly important in spaces where communication plays a key role. In classrooms, good intelligibility of the teacher's speech is one of the basic conditions for an effective teaching process. Too much reverberation time causes successive words to overlap, making it difficult for students to receive information.
You can hear more on this topic at the upcoming Conference in Jachranka, where lectures and seminars on acoustics in schools will be featured. Similar challenges arise in open-plan offices. Phone conversations, team meetings or the sound of office equipment create a sound background that, with inadequate acoustics, can significantly impede employee concentration. The use of sound-absorbing materials makes it possible to limit the propagation of acoustic waves in the room and reduce the reverberation time. As a result, working comfort improves and the space becomes more user-friendly.
wall palene
© MILA
Acoustics in public and commercial spaces
The importance of acoustics is also clear in commercial spaces, such as restaurants, hotels and service facilities. In places with a large number of people, excessive reverberation can lead to a characteristic "hall noise" that makes it difficult to hold conversations.
Properly designed acoustic solutions can reduce this phenomenon and improve the comfort of such spaces. At the same time, acoustic elements can perform a decorative function, emphasizing the character of the interior.
Products of MILA Sp. z o.o. have a very wide range of colors, which inscribe any vision. Standard panels available off-the-shelf can be a tool to complement small spaces. For large projects, the color palette is theoretically unlimited.
The ability to make products with different hardnesses and finishes provides a range of possibilities for further processing. MILACUSTIC materials can be gouged, printed and molded into any shape. The standard 9 mm and 12 mm products are just examples because we make boards in the range from 3 mm to 40 mm according to project requirements.
acoustic wallpaper
© MILA
Sustainable materials and safety
Contemporary architectural design is increasingly taking environmental issues into account as well. The panels used in the MILACUSTIC system are manufactured from approximately 60% recycled PET fibers. The use of recycled raw materials reduces the consumption of new resources and fits in with the principles of sustainable construction. The production process is confirmed by GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification.
Fire safety is also an important aspect. The solutions meet the requirements of fire reaction class B-s2,d0 in accordance with PN-EN 13501-1, which means a very limited contribution of the material to the development of fire and low smoke emission.
Acoustics as an element of space design
The growing importance of acoustics shows that modern interior design has an increasingly broader understanding of the concept of space quality. In addition to aesthetics and functionality, user comfort is playing an increasingly important role.
Modern acoustic materials help reduce noise and reverberation, and at the same time can be an important element of interior composition. This gives designers the opportunity to create spaces that are both visually appealing and comfortable for everyday use.
fiber for thermoforming
© MILA
For more information, visit the company's MILA page on the PdA portal.
