Interior design: VM Projektbau
Year of completion: 2026
Products: VANK_ELLIPSE acoustic wall panels BIO in GLOBE shape, VANK_ELLIPSE BIO desk panels, VANK_ELLIPSE BIO mobile acoustic screens and 4-person acoustic pod VANK_BOX_4_ELLIPSE
 

Case Study: How to structure an open-plan office through acoustics and zoning, creating a workspace that supports focus without enclosing the space.

 

Challenge

Designing their own office, VM Projektbau set out to create a workspace that combines an open layout with the ability to work in focus.

The key challenge was introducing clear functional zones within a single open space. The office needed to support individual work, conversations, meetings and areas for relaxation, without relying on fixed partitions.

The sloped roof and hard material palette caused sound to reflect and travel freely across the space. As a result, the lack of spatial division translated directly into a lack of acoustic control.

Design approach

The interior was fully designed by the VM Projektbau team, allowing acoustic solutions to be integrated into the architecture from the outset.

Instead of dividing the space with walls, the design is based on a system of acoustic elements operating at different levels. The aim was to create an environment where different modes of work can coexist within one layout.

Solution

The project follows a holistic approach to acoustics, combining wall panels, desk panels, mobile screens and an acoustic pod.

  • Wall panels VANK_PANEL ELLIPSE BIO reduce reverberation and limit sound reflections from hard surfaces, stabilising acoustic conditions across the office.
  • At workstation level, VANK_DESK PANEL ELLIPSE BIO introduce semi-privacy and reduce direct sound transmission between users, without enclosing the space.
  • Mobile screens VANK_SCREEN ELLIPSE BIO define a lounge area with sofas, creating a quieter zone for informal meetings and short breaks away from the main workspace. Their mobility allows the layout to adapt as needed.
  • The central element is a four-person acoustic pod VANK_BOX GRAPHIC LIGHT, designed for calls and small team meetings. It provides acoustic separation without disrupting the openness of the space.
    The pod’s exterior features a custom LED graphic that acts as a visual anchor within the office. When illuminated, it clearly signals occupancy, allowing users to check availability at a glance.

Across the entire project, BIO-based materials create a consistent acoustic layer. Wall panels, desk panels, mobile screens and the pod interior form a unified system that integrates seamlessly with the architecture.

Outcome

  • The open-plan layout is preserved while acoustic and functional order is introduced.
  • Different levels of privacy are created: individual workstations, semi-open desks, a lounge area and an enclosed meeting space.
  • Users can choose how they work depending on the task, without changing location.
  • Acoustics becomes a tool for organising the space, not an afterthought.