The modular felt ceiling system HeartFelt® from Hunter Douglas Architectural has been used successfully in a wide variety of projects since its introduction in 2016.
DPG Media, the Belgium parent holding company of the commercial TV channels VTM and Q2, also chose HeartFelt® for the new studio of radio channel Joe.
With its unique sound-absorbing performance, the felt ceiling system meets the particularly high acoustic requirements for a radio studio. HeartFelt® was installed in four different rooms over a total surface of 126m².
The ceiling fits in perfectly with the general look and feel of the new radio studio, which radiates playfulness and openness.
After 10 years, the Joe radio studio was due for renewal. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the new studio is ready for future challenges in the field of digitisation. To enhance the homely and cheerful atmosphere, DPG Media was looking for a ceiling system that deviates from the typical ceilings for offices with a rather cool and sterile appearance.
“Previously, a radio studio was a closed room with acoustic walls in which the DJs did their work in a dark room. In today’s radio studios, everything revolves around experience and collaboration," says Stijn Van den Acker, facilities manager DPG Media.
"The interior of the new Joe studio has been adapted to this with open spaces, lots of light and lots of glass. The slat effect of the felt panels in shades of grey reinforces the playful and airy character of our new studio.”
With an above-average performance in the field of sound absorption, HeartFelt® meets the high acoustic requirements for a radio studio. An additional asset is the space between the felt slats that allows air ventilation pipes to be installed invisibly above the ceiling.
“HeartFelt® seemed the most suitable solution for Joe’s radio studio,” said Linda De Ridder, sales engineer at Hunter Douglas Architectural. “This ceiling system combines aesthetic and functional qualities and differs from the existing linear ceiling systems that are mostly made of metal - often aluminum.
"The disadvantage of metal ceilings is that they reflect strong light and sound. Felt offers an organic solution for this: it ‘breaks’ light in such a way that a beautiful, natural colour is created.
"At the same time, felt is naturally a sound-absorbing material. That makes it much easier to achieve good building acoustics.”