Northrop Grumman pride themselves on solving the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defence and cyberspace, proudly boasting over 100,000 employees worldwide. For their new offices in Huntsville, Alabama, they contracted construction firm Robins & Morton to build two five-storey “built-to-suit” facilities, equipped with an engineering design space, integration laboratory, data center and a 350-person auditorium.
Each of the building’s five floors feature an ‘amenity loop’ surrounding the office’s central core; reserved for high-security suites. The outer loop, on the other hand, is designed for staff to gather and collaborate outside of these clearance areas, and is home to space-themed meeting rooms, food service areas and wellness lounges.
To balance the sleek, hard surfaces of polished concrete and expansive glass walls and windows, Acoufelt were tasked with transforming the auditory landscape within these outer collaborative spaces.
On the first floor, ‘Linear’ Baffles in color ‘Grey’ can be found hung over the food service and cafeteria spaces, seamlessly integrating with the futuristic design. Meanwhile, levels one through five boast strategically placed ‘Rectangle’ acoustic ceiling Clouds in ‘Charcoal,’ installed over high-traffic hallways and lounge areas.
Both ceiling products act to absorb excess noise and reduce reverberation, promoting a congenial soundscape for effective communication and collaboration.
The crown jewel of the facility, the 350-seat auditorium, features Acoufelt’s ‘Pulse’ Fracture Panels in the subtle ‘Grey’ color. The panels not only reduce echo and enhance speech intelligibility, but their bevelled-cut patterns also add visual intrigue, mirroring the symmetrical rows of seats of the auditorium.
By seamlessly integrating Acoufelt’s acoustic solutions, Northrop Grumman’s Huntsville office achieves a harmonious synthesis of cutting-edge design and functional acoustics. The result is a space that not only meets the demands of high-security areas but also nurtures a collaborative and innovative environment for Northrop Grumman’s high calibre workforce.
Our Fracture Panels are meticulously crafted using our FilaSorb™ acoustic material. Each panel undergoes a precision-carving process, creating a series of beveled grooves that form captivating directional linework that when installed together, create intricate patterns that enhance visual appeal.
Designed for targeted acoustic control, our clouds utilize their generous surface area to effectively manage sound, creating environments where clarity and comfort reign.
Imagine the difference as unwanted noise dissipates, replaced by a sense of calm and focus. Whether you select from our refined standard shapes or collaborate with us to create custom designs, each Cloud is engineered to deliver exceptional acoustic performance and visual appeal.
