Acoustic Lighting Designs for a Quieter and More Productive Atmosphere

The Design Defender Showcase series features products from leading manufacturers in the design industry, providing a rich source of inspiration for professional designers and design enthusiasts alike, helping them stay up-to-date with the latest trends and discover fresh ideas for ongoing projects.

The latest in our showcase series features outstanding acoustic lighting designs from top manufacturers to inspire you in creating a more comfortable and quieter environment. While acoustic panels and partitions are the first that come to mind when considering acoustics in design, acoustic lighting shouldn’t be ignored.

Combining sound absorption and illumination, it incorporates maximum functionality in one object to reduce noise and echoes in a room, creating a more comfortable atmosphere that promotes well-being and productivity. Well-designed acoustic lighting can also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of a space, as we demonstrate through seven acoustic lighting fixtures ranging from simple and understated to bold and expressive, showcasing a range of possibilities to match different interior styles and functions.

Abstracta has been a pioneer in acoustic solutions since 1972, producing everything from thoughtfully designed sound-absorbent screens and surfaces to innovative furniture and lighting with integrated acoustic characteristics for various spaces. They say that improving a soundscape is easy—doing it with style is the hard part. With the design for Holly, designers Homstvedt and Klock challenge the conventional approach to acoustic lighting, with the aim of creating both a beautiful and functional object that doesn’t necessarily get immediately recognized as an acoustic product. The inspiration for the form came from the holly plant, integrating lighting and acoustic spheres into a cluster formation that can be suspended horizontally and vertically according to need.

Stephen Burks' design for the Trypta system of suspension lamps produced by Luceplan demonstrates a harmonious unity of aesthetic function with acoustic absorption and lighting performance. The system consists of a vertical cylindrical core, which provides the light source, as well as the structural base for the addition of acoustic panels, which are available in a range of different sizes and colours, allowing for the creation of varied configurations. The result is a highly-functional and aesthetic object that can significantly contribute to the overall interior design of a space.

The sculptural BuzziPleat Light by 13&9 Design for BuzziSpace provides both exceptional sound-absorbing abilities and lighting performance. Handcrafted from the company’s own BuzziFelt textile made of recycled materials, the collection features a range of models available in different colours. When suspended at different heights, they create a dynamic and wonderfully tactile ceiling while absorbing excessive noise.

Slim, tactile, acoustic—the core values of the Slab series by Lucas Peet for Andlight. Enveloped in Merino wool felt to reduce ambient noise, Slab is available in a range of different sizes and can be suspended as a standalone fixture above a dining table or bar, for example. Combining different sizes and colours can create an interesting composition, providing a unifying and graphically dominant spatial motif for larger spaces. It is the versatility of this series - to seamlessly integrate into or visually define an interior design scheme - that makes it a great choice for designers seeking acoustic lighting solutions.

Inspired by papiroflexia—the art of papyrus-folding—Mario Cucinella's Flexia suspension lamp for Artemide is a lighting and acoustic panel system that combines technical lighting know-how with the designer’s interest in sustainable design. Flexia consists of triangular planes (wings) that can be rotated to different angles, allowing for a variety of positions and inclinations to control the object's interaction with the environment. By combining transparent light-emitting surfaces with acoustic panels from recycled fibres, Flexia achieves a striking contrast between material and immaterial, and the system's modular design allows for customizable configurations that can shape space according to different needs.

Derby by Mirco Crosatto for Stilnovo is a dual-function suspension lamp with an elegant parabolic form, offering both visual and acoustic comfort. Inspired by the hats worn by noblewomen during prestigious trotting derbies, the lamp won the 2019 Red Dot Award for its "high utility value". Ideal for work environments, placing this light fixture above a table can promote a sense of togetherness and productivity. Its adjustable nature also ensures that it meets the unique needs of different settings.