When the team at Les Mills Hamilton decided to convert a children’s play space into an additional fitness studio, they encountered a problem: the concrete flooring and walls meant that noise and music reverberated terribly, resulting in an unpleasant acoustic environment. Facility Manager, Matt McCulloch looked for a cost-effective acoustic solution that could resolve the problem.

With acoustic panels already being used in another studio, Matt knew something similar was just what this new studio space needed. “We already knew how great the atmosphere could be with acoustic panels, so that’s what we wanted to do with this room,” he says.

Following conversations with Paul Sowry, General Manager of Ecoplus systems, Matt opted for Acoustic Plus Sound Absorbing Cloud Panels in black. While the panels promised excellent acoustic control, it was the fantastic service from Ecoplus that led Matt to choose them over other options. “Ecoplus were very easy to deal with,” he explains. Another drawcard was the fact the panels could create the right sound environment without blowing the budget.

Acoustic Plus Sound Absorbing Cloud Panels have been tested to provide an NRC .95 and meet a Group1-S fire rating. Panels are supplied pre-finished in standard sizes up to 1200mm wide and 2400mm long, with Ecoplus Systems happy to work with designers to provide custom-sized panels.

For the 80m² studio at Les Mills Hamilton, Ecoplus Systems supplied 14 black Acoustic Plus Sound Absorbing Cloud Panels. The panels were suspended from the ceiling using cables and anchors to creating an eye-catching free-floating look.

The striking black acoustic panels effectively reduce reverberation, transforming the space into a fit-for-purpose studio with excellent acoustics. “The panels look amazing — they really make the room stand out,” says Matt. “The final result is awesome. Before the panels, noise bounced constantly in the studio. Now you can play music, have a conversation or film a video and it doesn’t bounce or echo.”