Challenge

This modern art gallery in central Copenhagen features large stone floors, bare concrete walls and a high vaulted ceiling. Multiple multimedia exhibition zones play video and audio works simultaneously. Sound leaks between adjacent galleries, audio guides get masked by visitor chatter, and the hard surfaces create long reverberation that ruins immersive viewing experience. Architects required acoustic panels with subtle fine light grey wood wool texture, without rough thick fibres, that blend with minimalist gallery aesthetics and not distract from artworks.

Solution

Cement-bonded wood wool acoustic panels are installed on upper walls and partial ceiling of each exhibition room. The fine, uniform light grey wood wool structure delivers broadband absorption. Panels are arranged in segmented zones to block sound transmission between different exhibition halls. Flat smooth fiberglass ceiling tiles (no texture, no fleece) are fitted in circulation corridors to reduce footstep and talking noise. All panels are EN 13501-1 A2-s1,d0 fire certified, low-emission. Installation was scheduled between exhibition cycles.

Result

Inter-gallery sound leakage is greatly suppressed. Reverberation time inside each exhibition hall stabilizes at 1.2s. Visitors can clearly hear exhibition audio guides without cross-interference. The low-profile wood wool panels harmonize with concrete and stone interiors, without competing with art installations. The gallery passed local building control acceptance.