Huel, Milton Keynes
The brief
Understanding the importance of effective communication and a comfortable working environment, Huel recognised that certain spaces, particularly meeting rooms, required attention to optimise acoustics.
Through a series of consultations we were able to identify and prioritise rooms in need of acoustic treatment. Two of these rooms were located at the Milton Keynes depot office, where we worked closely with Huel’s team to enhance the auditory experience. The plasterboard ceiling throughout the open plan space was also of concern, whilst speech privacy was not required, concentration was, and with multiple conversations across the floor the office would be noisy and less productive.
Absorption products included
Breakout Area – MK Depot Office
The first room we addressed was the breakout area, which initially lacked any acoustic treatment. With hard flooring and a plasterboard ceiling, the sound quality in the space was unpleasant, creating an uncomfortable environment for employees. As the room was regularly used for informal meetings and group discussions, it was essential to mitigate the high levels of reverberation.
To resolve this, we installed our ReSorb Panels along the long wall, which significantly reduced sound reflections. This improvement not only enhanced the acoustic comfort of the space but also improved the quality of audio during video conferencing sessions. To further improve the acoustics, we treated the wall opposite the entrance, ensuring that sound was also contained within the space and didn’t disrupt the adjacent open-plan office.
Boardroom – MK Depot Office
The second room we worked on was the boardroom, a highly utilised space that hosts frequent video conferences. Previously treated with egg-box style foam, the existing solution didn’t provide the desired level of acoustic control. The foam, while a basic treatment, didn’t fully address the reverberation issues that became particularly noticeable during video calls.
Our team carefully removed the old foam and replaced it with a ReSorb Wall, a more advanced and effective acoustic solution. The ReSorb Wall allowed us to maximise the surface area of absorbent material, offering superior sound absorption and control over reverberation. This upgrade resulted in a significantly improved acoustic environment, providing clearer sound during video conferences and a more comfortable atmosphere overall.