Sound solutions

The new Victoria headquarters for Autex Acoustics – comprising an expansive workplace and showroom alongside the manufacturing facility – is an open and collaborative series of spaces, where flow is optimised and Autex products are both showcased creatively and effectively utilised for sound control.

As such, it was important that the workplace drew all aspects of the operation together in a large space supporting the design, marketing, sales, management, manufacturing and administrative teams of Autex Acoustics’ Melbourne operation. The workplace also acts as the breakout space for the manufacturing team in the adjoining factory building. As such, it was imperative that the spaces flowed easily and teams were positioned to meet client interface demands.

Working closely with the Autex Acoustics design team, Made For’s design for the office space places the main entry and reception area to lead directly to the primary showroom and finishes library. Central to the showroom is a custom designed Perspex table, and visitors are instantly curious about its unusual design. The table is in fact entirely filled with the pelletised offcuts which Autex Acoustics have developed as a means to recycle the elements of production which were hitherto unusable. This type of innovation underlies Autex Acoustics’ commitment to sustainability as a 100 per cent carbon neutral company. Moreover, each acoustic product is 100 per cent PET, with the core product, Cube, being a minimum of 80 per cent recycled content. The pelletised offcuts are used to make Autex Acoustics’ accessory parts, such as the Vicinity Workstation clamps.

Forgoing a straight grid layout, Made For’s diagonal layout breaks the space into distinctive zones. To the right of reception is the outwards facing creative hub, where the design, sales and marketing teams have direct access to the showroom and adjacent design lab, event space and bar. “We wanted to have the opportunity to host events and panels, but also for celebrations, and we felt that it was important to have that space integrated into that working area,” says Kirk Schmidt, General Manager of Autex Acoustics Australia.

This sense of the whole workspace being integrated is an important differentiator to a typical workplace, and one that proves the quality of Autex’s acoustic control. “When you are working with acoustic solutions from the design phase, you are able to really control the levels of noise and reverberation significantly,” says Rob Jones, Technical and Development Manager. Rather than having the noisier teams, such as the customer service team or the sales team, separated from others, Autex Acoustics have incorporated its product from inception for effective sound management.

The overriding positive of the project is its incredible sense of calm. Conversations between people are clear and audible without travelling to adjacent workers. “While we test extensively, it’s incredibly satisfying to see our own products in action, really delivering on their promise across myriad workplace needs. There is a real feeling of tranquillity throughout the whole space, not just the offices and showrooms, but everywhere,” says Jones.