Mailen Design’s recent visit to Knauf Ceiling Solutions’ HERADESIGN factory in Austria offered our team an in-depth look at the manufacturing of their sustainable wood wool acoustic panels, materials we’ve come to value in several of our projects, including Knauf’s Clerkenwell showroom. This factory tour provided an opportunity to deepen our technical understanding of the production process behind one of the most sustainable and acoustically effective materials in use today, alongside a group of leading UK-based architects.
WOOD WOOL PANELS AND THEIR PRODUCTION
HERADESIGN's wood wool panels are an acoustic and environmental solution we have implemented across a number of our projects. They offer a blend of sound absorption and humidity control, making them ideal for high-performance spaces such as schools, offices, and public buildings. The panels themselves are manufactured using a combination of natural wood fibres, water, and magnesite, and are capable of delivering significant acoustic control whilst meeting stringent sustainability criteria.
The factory tour allowed our team a close look at the process of creating these panels, from sourcing and preparing the wood to the innovative recovery system that recycles production residue. Every year, approximately 4,000 tonnes of residue are fed back into the manufacturing cycle, minimising waste and reducing carbon emissions. This type of sustainable engineering is increasingly necessary as the industry shifts towards a circular economy model, reducing not only the carbon footprint of individual projects but also that of the entire supply chain.
Observing the production process first-hand reaffirmed our confidence in specifying these materials across a variety of applications, as a functional solution with ecological integrity that responds to the increasing environmental demands of our field.
APPLICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
The visit also highlighted how HERADESIGN acoustic panels can be adapted to various architectural contexts, from suspended ceilings to wall-mounted absorbers, each with the potential to transform the acoustic environment of a space. The ability to customise these panels in terms of size, finish, and acoustic performance provides architects with a versatile tool for enhancing both the functionality and aesthetic of spaces.
Knauf’s Clerkenwell showroom, which Mailen Design helped realise, demonstrates the successful implementation of these panels in a design-led environment. Their tactile quality and ability to reduce background noise make them an ideal choice for high-traffic areas, whilst their natural textures offer a subtle yet impactful design element.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE IN ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
Architectural innovation hinges not only on design but on a thorough understanding of the materials at hand. As architects, it’s essential that we engage directly with the products we specify, gaining a complete technical and material insight. Visiting Knauf Ceiling Solutions’ HERADESIGN factory allowed us to examine the layers of research and development behind their wood wool panels—details that are often invisible once the material is installed, but critical to their function and longevity.
This direct experience offered a wealth of knowledge that will undoubtedly inform future projects, especially as we look to integrate more sustainable and acoustically resilient materials. It also reinforced the importance of our ongoing collaboration with manufacturers whose commitment to sustainable innovation aligns with our own focus on long-term building performance and environmental responsibility.
We extend our sincere thanks to Knauf Ceiling Solutions and the HERADESIGN team for their generous hospitality. The insights gained through this immersive experience are already influencing our material choices and design strategies for upcoming projects. We look forward to further integrating these materials into our future work as we continue our drive to innovate with integrity.