At Materials Reimagined, an event held in Melbourne earlier this month, Autex Acoustics opened its doors to lucky architects and designers, launched new products and threw one of the best parties of the year. As a bonus, there was the opportunity to explore the intricacies of how the company creates acoustic products with a guided tour of its new Essendon Fields plant.
The event began with an introduction to the manufacturing plant to understand the journey from fibres made from recycled plastics to acoustic fabric. The raw material is carded and compressed, shaped into lengths of acoustic material, then finally batched and stored. The process is carefully scrutinised for quality assurance, and while the large machines do the hard work, oversight from people ensures that everything runs smoothly.
It’s not every manufacturer that allows a glimpse of its manufacturing processes, and we were all privileged to have the chance to see the process at Autex Acoustics.
As well as the factory tour, Autex Acoustics launched a reimagined product and presented an expanded colour palette for its ranges.
In response to the evolution of workplaces, education environments and commercial spaces, Autex Acoustics released five new organic, muted colours: Petra, Marina, Park, Colosseum and Rushmore. The soft, nature-inspired hues are deep and luxurious and will help shape mood and contribute meaningfully to the aesthetics of an interior.
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The new product – a reimagined Frontier Raft Acoustic System – takes acoustics into another form, with acoustic beams that can be installed overhead. At the event, they were presented in a light brown print resembling timber slats. Guided by a ‘more with less’ approach, the updated design delivers a significant reduction in material use and embodied carbon (70 per cent less than before!) while maintaining Raft’s aesthetic impact and acoustic performance. The new product is easy to install and also saves time on site, as it is delivered preassembled.
So, not only do Autex Acoustics’ products come in all variations of decorative panelling, but now also as easy-to-install beams that provide choice when designing spaces and places.
While Materials Reimagined was an evening of immersive product experiences, meaningful industry connections and thoughtfully curated hospitality, it is the passion that Autex Acoustics has for sustainability that is impressive.
The business boasts 100 per cent carbon-neutral operations and, in Cube, Autex Acoustics’ most popular and widely specified acoustic solution, there is a minimum of 80 per cent recycled content sourced from post-consumer waste. Autex Acoustics is continually looking for ways to streamline processes, and new initiatives are being implemented across the company.
Materials Reimagined was a wonderful event that showcased how Autex Acoustics is responding to environmental challenges and creating products that are both beautiful and meet the ever-changing needs of the market.
While this iteration of Materials Reimagined was held in Melbourne, the event has also been enjoyed in Brisbane and will take place in Sydney on 21 October.
With 2027 marking 60 years of business globally, Autex Acoustics is a dynamic and vibrant company that is leading through design and looking to the future – all while touching the earth lightly.
Autex Acoustics
autexacoustics.com.au
Photography
Nick Chen
