Meeting Room Acoustics Upgrade - Mid Sussex District Council
Acoustic solutions at Mid Sussex District Council
The Challenge: Poor Acoustics in Meeting Rooms
Mid Sussex District Council approached Acoustics by Design to assess and improve the sound quality in several of their meeting rooms. With a growing reliance on video conferencing, the Council found that excessive reverberation (echo) was making both in-person and hybrid meetings difficult to follow. Speech was unclear, and poor sound quality was affecting productivity and comfort.
The building’s age and architecture posed further challenges. Many of the rooms had minimal clear wall space available, restricting the locations where acoustic treatment could be applied. Any proposed solution would need to be both effective and unobtrusive – delivering measurable acoustic improvement without compromising the function or appearance of the spaces.
Absorption products included
The Solution: ReSorb Baffles, Islands, and Panels
Following a detailed site survey, our consultants conducted acoustic testing in each meeting room and calculated the quantity of absorption required to bring reverberation under control. From there, we developed a bespoke acoustic treatment plan that took into account the architectural constraints of each space.
We presented and discussed our proposed layout on site with the client, identifying practical installation zones and agreeing on an approach that balanced acoustic efficacy with spatial and aesthetic limitations.
The final solution was a combination of suspended ReSorb Baffles, ceiling-mounted ReSorb Islands, and wall-mounted ReSorb Panels – all specified in 40mm thickness and finished in a range of Camira fabrics to suit the interior decor. Each product was carefully positioned to make the best use of available surfaces, while maintaining a discreet and integrated appearance.
Installation was carried out with minimal disruption to the Council’s day-to-day operations, with our team working flexibly around their schedule to ensure the project was delivered smoothly and efficiently.
The Result: Clearer Speech and Better Meetings
The transformation in acoustic comfort was immediate and noticeable. Speech clarity improved significantly, and video conferencing became far easier for participants to follow – both in-room and remotely.
The Council was particularly pleased that these improvements were achieved without compromising the visual quality of their meeting rooms. The use of high-quality Camira fabrics and careful product positioning allowed the acoustic treatments to complement the existing interiors, rather than detract from them.
In the words of Paul Williams, Facilities and Project Surveyor at Mid Sussex District Council:
“We engaged Acoustics by Design to assess and improve the acoustics in several of our meeting rooms. Their advice was both professional and practical, taking into account the unique challenges of each space, including some aesthetic constraints. The results have been excellent, with noticeable improvements in acoustic comfort that haven’t compromised the look or feel of the rooms.
Throughout the process, the team worked flexibly and efficiently to ensure installation caused minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.
We’re very pleased with the outcome and would highly recommend Acoustics by Design to any organisation looking to improve their working environment.”