Coworking Open Space Acoustics

The Challenge

In a coworking open space, sound can quickly become one of the biggest factors affecting comfort, focus and productivity. The Cluster Melbourne is a dynamic shared workspace where people come together to work, meet, collaborate, host events and build business connections. In this kind of environment, the room needs to feel alive and energetic, but not overwhelming. When sound reflects off hard surfaces such as glass, ceilings, walls and floors, conversations can start to bounce across the space, creating echo, background noise and acoustic discomfort.

This is one of the most common issues in offices and call centres, especially where open layouts are designed for flexibility and collaboration. The problem is not that people are too loud. The problem is often that the room has too many reflective surfaces and not enough sound absorption. Without proper acoustic treatment, noise builds up, speech becomes less clear, and the space can feel louder than it should.

The Cluster needed a solution that would support better noise control while still matching the creative, modern and premium feel of the workspace.

The Solution

SoundFix Acoustics recommended a tailored acoustic treatment using coloured round melamine foam acoustic panels. This solution was chosen because it could address both the acoustic and visual needs of the coworking open space. Melamine foam panels are lightweight, highly sound absorptive and ideal for reducing echo in commercial interiors where speech clarity and comfort matter. The round shape created softness and movement, while the selected colours allowed the panels to become part of the interior design.

The goal was to reduce sound reflections across the open workspace and create a calmer, more balanced acoustic environment. Instead of allowing conversations and background noise to continue bouncing around the room, the acoustic panels help absorb excess sound energy. This supports clearer communication, less echo and a more comfortable working atmosphere.

For a coworking environment like The Cluster, this is especially important because the space has to serve many different purposes throughout the day. It may be used for focused work, casual conversations, client meetings, team collaboration and events. A successful acoustic solution therefore needs to support flexibility. By using coloured round acoustic panels, SoundFix delivered a solution that improved noise control while also enhancing the character of the room. The result was not just a quieter space, but a more considered and enjoyable workspace experience.

The Installation

The installation at The Cluster was planned to suit the needs of an active coworking environment. In a shared commercial workspace, disruption needs to be carefully managed because members, guests and staff rely on the space throughout the day. SoundFix approached the project with a full-service process, considering panel placement, room function, visual balance and acoustic performance before installation began.

The coloured round melamine acoustic panels were positioned to target key reflective areas within the open space. In acoustic treatment, placement is just as important as the product itself. Panels need to be installed where they can effectively absorb sound reflections and reduce reverberation. The SoundFix team regularly applies this same thinking across open office acoustics, meeting rooms, shared workspaces and commercial interiors where speech clarity and comfort are essential.

Because the panels were circular and coloured, their arrangement also needed to feel visually balanced. The final layout worked as both a functional acoustic treatment and a design feature. For spaces where ceiling treatment is required, SoundFix also offers acoustic ceiling panels and other ceiling-mounted solutions, but in this project, the custom round format gave the open space a more playful and creative feel.

The Outcome

The finished result at The Cluster Melbourne demonstrates how acoustic panels can transform the experience of a coworking open space. By introducing coloured round melamine foam panels, SoundFix helped reduce echo, soften sound reflections and improve the overall acoustic comfort of the room. The space retained its energy and creative atmosphere, but with better control over reverberation and background noise.

For members and visitors, this kind of improvement can make a noticeable difference. Conversations feel clearer. The room feels less harsh. People can work, meet and collaborate with greater ease. In open coworking spaces, acoustic comfort directly supports productivity, professionalism and wellbeing. When the sound environment is balanced, people are less likely to feel distracted, strained or overwhelmed.

The project also shows that commercial acoustic panels do not need to look plain or clinical. At The Cluster, the coloured round panels became a visual feature, adding personality while serving a practical purpose. This is a strong example of design-led acoustic treatment, where performance and aesthetics work together.

For coworking spaces, offices, meeting rooms and flexible commercial interiors across Melbourne, this case study highlights an important message: good acoustics are part of good design. A workspace should not only look impressive. It should feel comfortable and sound clear.

Speak to SoundFix Acoustics

If your coworking space, office, meeting room or commercial interior feels too loud, echoey or difficult to work in, SoundFix Acoustics can help. Many businesses assume the problem is people talking too loudly, but in most cases, the real issue is the way sound behaves inside the room. Hard surfaces reflect sound, creating echo and reverberation that make the space feel noisier than it needs to be.

SoundFix provides a complete acoustic treatment service, from assessment and advice through to product supply and professional installation. Whether your space needs acoustic wall panels, acoustic ceiling panels, colour matched acoustic panels or custom acoustic circles, the team can recommend a solution that suits your room, your design and your budget.

The Cluster Melbourne project shows how the right acoustic panels can improve comfort, reduce echo and support a better workplace experience without taking away from the interior design. For modern workspaces, this matters. People need environments where they can focus, communicate and feel comfortable.

Create a workspace that sounds as good as it looks.

Contact SoundFix Acoustics today to book an acoustic assessment or request a quote for your coworking open space, office or commercial interior.