#Product Trends
GKD: A treat for the eyes and ears
Composite (CMP) metallic meshes bring tranquillity to restaurants
First impressions count – not just in human interactions, but in our environment too. Visual and acoustic information influences our well-being and contributes significantly to how comfortable we feel in our current location. Hence, besides excellent food and attentive service, feeling at ease is a particularly important aspect of a successful dining experience. A truly pleasant and inviting atmosphere is created through a design that harmonises aesthetics and acoustics. In this respect, SILENTMESH acoustic ceilings made of metallic mesh from GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG offer a variety of possible applications. They combine tailor-made visual and functional properties to create impressive interior designs in restaurants, bars and canteens. CMP mesh can also be used as acoustically effective partition elements, combining the extraordinary aesthetics of the mesh structure with highly effective sound absorption – perfect for room-in-room concepts. That is why SILENTMESH acoustic panels work particularly well in restaurants, providing a treat for both the eyes and the ears.
Feeling at ease in any space is influenced, consciously or subconsciously, by the atmosphere. Besides the visual appearance, lighting and climate, the acoustics also make a vital contribution. Often in modern architectural and room concepts with smooth, hard materials and open structures, the price paid for visual appeal is poor acoustics. If the sound absorption is not appropriate for the room size and shape as well as the specific surfaces, the general noise level increases and communication is impeded. Gourmets wanting to indulge in all the delights of culinary art will find a loud, reverberating room an unpleasant distraction. A tranquil, comfortable atmosphere, on the other hand, is conducive to contentedness and enjoyment – so, besides delicious cuisine and attentive service, these are prerequisites for a welcoming atmosphere in any restaurant. Discussions at the next table, commotion at the serving counter, the clattering of dishes and sound from the bar area make restaurants inherently noisy. This kind of noise level combined with a lack of acoustic planning make it difficult to hold a conversation with your fellow diner, and the desired relaxation is replaced by stress. Creating pleasant room acoustics is therefore one of the key tasks in establishing a high-end dining establishment. To adapt the acoustic quality of a restaurant in order to create the desired relaxing ambience, designers develop room concepts that use a balanced proportion of reflecting and absorbing materials.
Decorative acoustic ceilings
SILENTMESH metallic mesh acoustic ceiling systems from GKD play a key role in this respect. These tried and tested sound-absorbing ceiling systems permanently optimise the room acoustics and are also an eye-catching decorative feature. Available in a wide selection of formats and systems, they open up a range of design options that meet the very highest standards when it comes to visual appearance and functionality. The metal mesh panels can optionally be equipped with highly effective sound absorption mats or acoustic fleece, thus reducing reverberation and improving speech intelligibility. This range of room acoustic solutions also provides improved room lighting in combination with the Atlantic Glow mesh type. These highly reflective mesh panels help transport daylight and thereby also contribute to the well-being of the guests. Their extraordinary appearance – shiny silver or anodised in soft champagne tones – gives any room an unmistakable identity.
Peaceful thanks to room dividers
Where thermally activated concrete ceilings, glass roofs or the desire to keep the original ceiling visible preclude the installation of suspended ceilings, CMP meshes make stunning room dividers and offer acoustic efficiency. These composite elements are comprised of an aluminium honeycomb supporting plate with a surface layer made of selected meshes and an intermediate layer consisting of acoustic fleece. They combine the exceptional stability required of such a construction with a really stylish look. Up to four metres long and 1.25 metres wide, they allow for unlimited creativity. Moreover, they bring structure the visual openness of large rooms, whether free-standing or grouped into individual bays. The quiet areas they create provide space for undisturbed conversations and privacy. Furthermore, panels covered on both sides with CMP mesh also contribute greatly to the sound-absorbing effect, ensuring overall optimisation of the room acoustics. The 25 millimetre thick honeycomb plate – or alternatively, 12 millimetre thick CMP meshes are available – achieves an excellent sound absorption value of αw = 0.90 without any additional insulation material. They thus create the best conditions for ensuring a pleasant quality of stay, even in modern hotel lobbies or atriums. Whether in restaurants, stylish canteens or lobbies, the multifaceted aesthetics and acoustic efficiency of SILENTMESH acoustic ceilings and panels open up an almost unlimited range of applications for both designers and builders. Easy to assemble and modify, they are the perfect, high-quality all-rounders for refurbishment, renovation and modernisation projects. Cut-outs can be made in the factory to allow easy integration of lighting or sprinklers into the ceiling systems. A virtually unlimited service life, constructional stability and minimum maintenance round off the performance spectrum of these shimmering metal beauties.
