Founded in 1990, Air Charter Service (ACS) is an award-winning aircraft charter company with a workforce of more than 500 spanning a network of offices across all six major continents. The new Dublin workspace – their first in Ireland – needed to provide a calm, focused environment which reflects the company’s ethos of technical excellence. Rockfon acoustic solutions were selected by the FKM Group, one of Ireland’s leading fit-out specialists, to help shape a contemporary and high-performance workspace with excellent office acoustics in the heart of the city.
Acoustics with Retained Design Elements
The existing legacy Reflected Ceiling Plan (RCP) was not fit for purpose within the new design framework. However, sustainability was a non-negotiable value for both ACS and FKM. The design team, with close support from Rockfon, committed to retaining as much of the original ceiling as possible. "ACS expressed the importance of retaining existing elements of the interior for sustainability reasons, without compromising acoustic outcomes", explained FKM Principal Designer Hala Menassa. "Working collaboratively with the Rockfon design team resulted in an effective and acoustically balanced space which met the client’s aesthetic and acoustic requirements."
Using room acoustic simulations and RT60 reverberation time calculations, the team created a zoned acoustic strategy using Class A sound-absorbing solutions which allowed for optimal performance in open-plan and meeting areas, all while preserving design integrity.
The prevailing aesthetic of the interiors is one of quiet confidence, using a paired-back palette of high-quality materials in muted tones with pops of colour provided by furniture, lighting, feature "living" green wall, and carpeting. A number of Rockfon ranges were utilised throughout to optimise noise control and support the aesthetic ambitions of the design. Both rectangular and unique, wave-shaped Rockfon Contour Baffles were used in open-plan areas, with a mix of rectangular and circular Rockfon Eclipse floating ceiling islands used to great effect in the canteen and touchdown zone. Both ranges are ideally suited to situations where a traditional ceiling system is not possible or desirable, and they can be installed in a number of ways, including fixing suspension wires directly to the ceiling soffit.
The monolithic ceiling solution Rockfon Mono Acoustic is installed in the boardroom and meeting rooms to control sound and underpin the sense of cool, calm, collectedness evident throughout. Rockfon Canva Wall panels were fitted in several spaces, where bespoke corporate imagery is featured on their canvas surface. Rockfon Lamella is a modular wall system that combines the aesthetics of wood with sound absorption capabilities. At ACS, an illuminated company logo has been precisely incorporated into its vertical slats in the reception area. “The support of the Rockfon design team ensured all aspects of Rockfon Lamella were aligned to incorporate the client logo, resulting in a seamless finish", says Hala Menassa.
Early Engagement and Quality Results
Throughout the project, Rockfon’s extended team provided hands-on support, offering tailored guidance, BIM details, RT modelling, and samples to suit the evolving concept.
“Our client’s previous experience with acoustics – or lack thereof – made this a key priority for us", says FKM Group Chief Operating Officer Breda Gleeson. "Rockfon supported us in delivering the highest level of acoustic performance for ceilings and walls. They even managed to work around other existing products without compromising outcomes. Both ourselves and our client are delighted with the result, visually and acoustically”.
“The success of this project came down to early engagement", explains Rockfon Key Account Manager Deirdre Mulvaney. "Our transparent sustainability message, paired with a strong acoustic design portfolio and over six decades of manufacturing experience, gave both FKM and their client the confidence to trust in our products, which helped them deliver a stunning and sonically balanced space that exceeded client expectations”.
