Sound construction: Sigel

German office product specialist SIGEL’s new Sound Balance acoustic solutions not only promote communication and optimise open-plan office acoustics, they help shape the workplace, too.

By Sigel and Barbara Jahn-Rösel

June 7, 2020 | 10:00 pm CUT

Sound Balance is more than just an acoustic system. It defines zones, can be used as a design element and enables relaxed cooperation in the office

Agile working methods, digital transformation, dynamic workflow: the world of work is in a state of permanent change. In order to meet the requirements of New Work, a high degree of flexibility is required. Products must be developed that support the active exchange of ideas, that help to motivate, and that optimise efficiency and creativity in open workspaces. Sound Balance acoustic elements from SIGEL support modern work processes as a holistic solution. They promote concentration while offering attractive interior accents, and overall contribute to increased satisfaction and well-being in open-plan architecture.

Sound Balance acoustic elements promote concentration while offering attractive interior accents, and overall contribute to increased satisfaction and well-being in open-plan architecture

With its products, SIGEL – the expert in innovative and inspiring office environments – primarily supports people individually in their work and creates, by means of integrated, comprehensive solutions, an ideal basis for modern office scenarios. It is important that people are at the centre of this effort and that the office environment is designed around them. Communication should be promoted in open space, not hindered, but it’s vital that the right balance be found. And with the Sound Balance product series, SIGEL does this – taking room acoustics to a whole new level.

Keep talking. The Sound Balance acoustic system adapts to all layouts and conditions of open-plan architecture, allowing for both concentration and communication at once

The room acoustics solution is particularly versatile, taking into account the various factors that characterise everyday office life. The top priority is to create optimum conditions for a wide variety of situations and rooms and to guarantee planners and architects a high degree of flexibility in project development. Sound Balance is a well-thought-out system that is designed as a whole and unfolds its full effect in the interaction of the individual components. The elements of the Sound Balance collection not only reduce noise and reverberation time, but also help to aesthetically shape the room.

The acoustic elements are available in different sizes and colours, for fixed installation or mobile use, so help toward creating an inspiring, feel-good climate in the workplace. While Sound Balance elements in the form of acoustically effective wall tiles, corner elements or wallboards are firmly attached to the respective surfaces, the column, movable wall or room-divider variations can be freely positioned where it makes the most sense for any given situation.

The fixed elements of Sound Balance make perfect use of space. Thanks to their triangular cross-section, they can even be used in previously unnoticed areas – with positive effects on room acoustics

The room dividers are delivered individually and can be assembled in the desired configuration using its slide-in system. Thanks to the wide range of products, all otherwise unused wall surfaces and room corners can be used efficiently, allowing optimal flexibility for different work scenarios.

And SIGEL has taken things even further: the acoustic elements can be supplemented with magnetic accessories such as writing boards, flipchart hooks or storage boxes and, of course, Sound Balance is also suitable for the acoustic retrofitting of modern office environments.

Simplicity is the name of the game here: Simple installation is just as satisfying as the ability to freely decide location. The intelligent core of the acoustic elements – a firm, highly compressed polyester fleece on the outside and a soft, permeable polyester fleece on the inside – is encased in a high-quality fabric cover made of synthetic fibre. The dirt- and water-repellent textiles are easy to clean and are also robust and abrasion-resistant. There is a choice of up to three modern colours and numerous possible combinations, which support uncomplicated, acoustic optimisation of rooms. The freestanding modules are finished at the bottom with a trapezoidal floor strip or with feet made of anodised aluminium.

Mobility creates flexibility – a particularly important feature, especially in more open spaces. In addition to permanently mounted elements, movable modules can be used to create a working environment individually adapted to your own requirements

Flexibility at work exists not only in the head. The ability to shape the place where commitment and creativity are required, clears the mind and promotes productivity. Numerous design awards are proof of SIGEL’s passion, their demand for high performance and their innovative spirit.

The outstanding design of the Sound Balance collection, for example, was recently awarded gold in the A' Design Award 2020 and the ‘Winner’ label in the Iconic Award 2020 for Interior Innovation. Sound Balance frees the user from rigid office layouts and, with its flexible elements, complements this newly created space – and gives silence a new form.