The challenge of ZelfstandigenBouw

Interior designer Agnes Otten worked with Akoesta for her client ZelfstandigenBouw in Hilversum, a workspace on the ground floor of a renovated historic house. Although much of the interior was modernized, the space retained a number of challenging architectural features: high ceilings, marble floors and wall accents, elaborate glass partitions, and a long corridor cut by an open staircase.

While these design elements were visually appealing, they caused significant acoustic problems. Everyday office activities such as zoom calls and phone calls were disrupted by echoes and ambient noise from other parts of the building. A noisy copier made the problem even worse. The main challenge was to find an acoustic solution that not only addressed the sound issues, but also did so with seamless visual integration, while respecting the existing interior design and maintaining key features such as wall lights.

Akoesta worked closely with Agnes Otten; we drew on each other's expertise to deliver a solution where acoustics and aesthetics went hand in hand. Together, we chose high-quality Archisonic® panels from Impact Acoustic, a manufacturer of durable PET panels known for combining function and form.

12 mm white panels were installed in the hallway and a smaller room. These matched the existing wall colors and geometric wall sections, making them visually disappear into the room. To add a subtle brand accent and narrative layer, the hallway panels were printed with construction-related icons, which provide both sound absorption and identity.

The larger office space required a bolder approach. Here, Akoesta installed 24 mm wall panels with an additional 25 mm layer of absorbent material to maximize performance. Crucially, two wall lights were installed on top of the acoustic panels, maintaining the original lighting plan of the space without compromising the integrity of the design.