The conversation around office design has shifted. No longer is it just about desks, breakout areas, and where to put the coffee machine. Increasingly, businesses are recognising that the design of their workplace has a tangible effect on how people feel — and that employee wellbeing isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a necessity.
At ekko acoustics, we’re seeing a growing demand for acoustic solutions that support this shift: softer spaces, better soundscapes, and environments designed not just for productivity, but for people.
Here are some of the key wellness-centred design trends shaping the modern office — and where acoustics can play a vital role.
While open-plan offices continue to dominate floorplans, there’s a clear move toward creating pockets of calm within them. Focus spaces, quiet corners, and even nap pods are becoming standard — offering respite from the constant hum of conversation and movement.
Acoustic treatment is essential in making these areas work. Panels, baffles, and soft surface materials absorb disruptive noise, turning a visually open space into a sonically considered one. At ekko, we design with this in mind — offering felt-based acoustic solutions that reduce reverberation and restore calm.
Wellness starts with the senses — and two of the most important (and often overlooked) are the air we breathe and the sound we hear. While HVAC upgrades are leading the charge on improved air quality, the acoustic environment is just as impactful.
Harsh, echoing interiors create mental fatigue, increase stress levels, and hinder concentration. Natural acoustic finishes — like our felt wall panels or ceiling rafts — work in harmony with air-purifying plants and breathable materials to create holistic environments that support long-term wellbeing.
Modern offices are increasingly incorporating spaces specifically created to support mental health. These might be quiet contemplation rooms, sensory retreat areas, or simply well-designed breakout spaces that offer employees a change of pace during their day.
Here, acoustic performance and aesthetics must go hand in hand. Our solutions are designed not only to perform to UK fire safety and acoustic standards, but also to contribute visually — with soft edges, biophilic-inspired shapes, and natural colour palettes that promote calm and clarity.
There’s growing awareness of the need for lighting that supports circadian rhythms — but far fewer people consider how lighting interacts with acoustics. Hard, glossy surfaces may bounce both light and sound in ways that create glare and noise.
Our products often work in tandem with lighting designers to ensure environments are balanced. Suspended acoustic rafts, for example, can help dampen noise while also providing elegant integration points for ambient or task lighting.
"At ekko acoustics, we’re proud to be part of a design evolution — creating acoustic solutions that don’t just meet technical standards but help build environments that feel as good as they look."
Wellness-centric design also means inclusive design. Supporting neurodivergent employees means recognising that one size does not fit all. For some, a visually busy or acoustically chaotic office can be overwhelming.
Designing with varied textures, adjustable lighting, quiet retreat spaces, and carefully tuned acoustics can make all the difference. Our modular systems and wide palette of felt colours allow specifiers to create flexible environments that cater to different sensory needs — without compromising on aesthetics.
At their best, offices should energise, inspire, and support the people within them. As the conversation around workplace wellbeing matures, so too must the spaces we design.
At ekko acoustics, we’re proud to be part of that evolution — offering acoustic solutions that don’t just meet technical requirements but help build environments that feel as good as they look.
Whether you’re designing a quiet zone, breakout space, or entire workplace fit-out, our felt-based acoustic solutions are designed to support wellness, creativity and comfort.
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Let’s build workplaces that truly care for the people inside them.
