When we design a space, our attention often focuses on the most visible elements: light, colors, materials, and furniture layout. Much less often do we consider an equally important but invisible element: the acoustics of the environment.

Sound is, in fact, a fundamental component of the spatial experience. Through hearing, we perceive the size of a place, its atmosphere, and the quality of the relationships that develop within it. An environment with excessive reverberation or uncontrolled noise levels can cause stress, cognitive fatigue, and communication difficulties, while a space designed with attention to sound quality promotes concentration, well-being, and interaction between people.

This aspect is particularly relevant in high-traffic areas, such as restaurants, hotels, retail spaces, or work environments, where the quality of the sound experience contributes significantly to the overall perception of the space.
A restaurant that is too noisy can compromise the convivial experience of customers; a hotel with poor acoustic management can reduce the quality of rest; in commercial environments or offices, poor acoustics can affect the length of stay, concentration, and quality of relationships.

In recent years, materials research has opened up new possibilities in this area, introducing solutions that combine acoustic performance, sustainability, and aesthetic quality. Many of these materials are derived from natural resources, recycling processes, or bio-manufacturing technologies, helping to reduce the environmental impact of interior design.

Below, we present five sustainable materials that are transforming the way acoustics are designed in contemporary spaces, offering designers increasingly effective tools to create quieter, more comfortable, and more responsible environments.

Mycelium: bio-manufactured materials from the world of fung

Image credits: yankodesign.com; Tanvi Joshi; Jonas Edvard.

Among the most surprising innovations in the field of sustainable materials is mycelium, the filamentous structure that constitutes the vegetative part of fungi.

In recent years, researchers and designers have begun to use mycelium to create panels and composite materials. The process involves cultivating mycelium on organic agricultural waste (such as straw or sawdust). As it grows, the mycelium acts as a natural network that binds the particles together, forming a compact and lightweight material.

From an acoustic point of view, the porous structure of mycelium allows for good sound wave absorption, helping to reduce reverberation in rooms.

In addition to its technical performance, mycelium is an extremely interesting solution for sustainability because:

• it uses organic waste as raw material
• it requires little energy for production
• it is completely biodegradable

A particularly interesting example of the application of mycelium in acoustic design is the work of Norwegian designer Jon Edvard, who has been exploring the potential of biomaterials in contemporary design for years. His creation Myx Sail/Floor, presented at the Mindcraft Project 2023, is a sound-absorbing panel measuring approximately one meter per side that combines mycelium, hemp, and willow fibers, demonstrating the structural possibilities of bio-based composite materials and the designer’s commitment to responsible design practices.

During the production process, Edvard works directly with a living material: mycelium. Inside a previously designed mold, the mycelium grows progressively by binding to a mixture of plant fibers. During this natural process, the material takes shape and consolidates, generating a panel that combines flexibility and structural rigidity. The result is a lightweight, sustainable acoustic element that can also be used as a room divider, demonstrating how collaboration with biological materials can open up new perspectives in interior design and responsible environmental design.

Cotton cellulose: a new generation of natural acoustic panels

Image credits: IMPACT ACOUSTIC®, ARCHISONIC® Cotton

Among the emerging materials in the field of sustainable acoustics, cotton cellulose, a natural fiber derived from textile industry waste, is taking on an increasingly interesting role. During cotton processing, some of the shorter and more irregular fibers cannot be used in fabric production and are normally considered a by-product. Through transformation and compaction processes, these fibers can be recovered and transformed into high-performance acoustic panels.

The production process involves shredding and processing the cellulose fibers, which are then pressed and stabilized to create porous surfaces. This microfibrous structure is particularly effective at capturing and dissipating sound waves, reducing reverberation in rooms and improving the acoustic quality of spaces. Unlike many traditional materials based on synthetic resins or petrochemical derivatives, cotton cellulose solutions can be made using natural components and processes with low environmental impact, helping to create healthier and more sustainable indoor environments.

The advantages of cotton cellulose in acoustic design

• Real circular economy
• Natural materials free of harmful substances
• High sound absorption performance.
• Valorization of textile industry waste

A significant example of this technology is ARCHISONIC® Cotton, developed by the Swiss company Impact Acoustic. This innovative material uses cellulose from cotton as its main component, transforming a by-product of the textile industry into a high-performance, sustainable acoustic panel. Thanks to the absence of synthetic binders and harmful chemicals, the panels can be completely reintegrated into the production cycle, creating a closed-loop system. Each element is designed to ensure high sound absorption performance while maintaining a circular economy approach: at the end of its life cycle, the material can be recovered and reintroduced into the production process, reducing waste and resource consumption.

Cork: the natural material par excellence

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Image credits: unika vaev; Gabriel Tan. 

Cork is one of the most sustainable materials available in architecture and interior design. It is obtained from the bark of the cork oak tree, which can be harvested without felling the tree and regenerates naturally over time.

From an acoustic point of view, cork has a unique cellular structure, composed of millions of micro air cavities. This structure makes it particularly effective in reducing sound propagation and improving the acoustic comfort of environments.

Its main characteristics include:

• high sound absorption capacity
• lightness and flexibility
• durability over time
• resistance to humidity

Cork can be used in many ways in interior design: wall panels, decorative coverings, flooring, or modular elements. In addition to its technical effectiveness, it helps to create warm and natural atmospheres, strengthening the sensory connection with natural materials.

An interesting example of its use in design is Sahara Wall Tile, an acoustic cladding system designed by Gabriel Tan and made from waste materials from the production of wine corks in Portugal. The project enhances a recycled material by transforming it into an architectural element that combines aesthetics and functionality. The shapes of the modules, inspired by the wind-sculpted dunes of the desert, allow for different compositional configurations, from more organic and asymmetrical patterns to geometric and regular patterns. This particular geometry, combined with the natural properties of cork, allows sound waves to be diffused and dispersed throughout the space, avoiding direct reflections and contributing to a more balanced and pleasant distribution of sound in the environment.

Recycled PET: transforming plastic into acoustic comfort

Image credits: Carnegie, Xorel Artform

Another increasingly popular material in contemporary design is recycled PET, used to make high-performance sound-absorbing panels and surfaces. This material is made from post-consumer plastic bottles which, through recycling and compression processes, are transformed into technical felt capable of effectively absorbing sound waves.

Thanks to its fibrous and porous structure, recycled PET helps reduce reverberation in rooms, improving listening quality and acoustic comfort. Furthermore, its lightness and ease of processing allow for the creation of very different design elements: wall panels, partitions, suspended baffles, three-dimensional surfaces, or decorative elements integrated into the architecture of the space.

Advantages:

• Reduction of plastic waste
• High acoustic performance
• Design versatility
• Lightweight and easy to install
• Sustainable and contemporary design

An interesting example of innovation in this field is Xorel Artform, an acoustic solution developed by the American company Carnegie that combines aesthetics, performance, and sustainability. The new version of the product uses rPET-Core, an acoustic substrate made from at least 60% post-consumer recycled plastic. In this way, materials that would otherwise end up in landfills are transformed into a design resource capable of improving the sound quality of environments.

The system allows for different configurations—panels, acoustic tiles, baffles, and suspended “clouds”—offering designers great freedom of composition. At the same time, it demonstrates how design can transform waste into a high-performance material, contributing to waste reduction and the creation of quieter, healthier, and more sustainable environments.

This approach reflects a growing trend in the world of materials: integrating acoustic solutions with a broader vision of environmental responsibility. Carnegie, for example, combines recycled PET products with bio-based fabrics made from sugar cane, demonstrating how technological innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand in the design of contemporary spaces.

Designing acoustic well-being

The importance of acoustics

Everyday experiences show how much acoustics influence our perception of spaces. An environment where sound is carefully managed can become a place of balance and concentration, offering protection from external noise and promoting moments of calm, reflection, and connection. Conversely, a space with poor acoustics can be tiring, distracting, or even unwelcoming, showing how sound—or poor sound management—can profoundly affect our sense of well-being and belonging.

The impact of acoustics on our lives is vast and often underestimated. The way sound spreads through spaces helps define the atmosphere of the places we inhabit, influencing our emotions, the quality of our interactions, and our relationship with space. Acoustics, although invisible, is therefore a fundamental component of the architectural experience: when designed with awareness, it can enhance environments, making them more welcoming, stimulating, and capable of promoting connection and well-being.

On the contrary, the lack of careful acoustic design can compromise the quality of spaces, creating noisy or disorienting environments that negatively affect daily life. For this reason, acoustics should be considered an integral part of the design, an element that contributes to the construction of places that support concentration, creativity, and relationships.

Designing acoustics means, ultimately, shaping the sound dimension of the places we inhabit, creating spaces where harmony, comfort, and quality of life can truly emerge.