Designing for quiet: Acoustic design in a new-build gallery
by Ben Burgess, Director, Specialist Services
When we step into a gallery, the first thing we often notice is what we don’t hear. The absence of background noise, the hush that allows you to focus on the art, the sense of calm that elevates the experience — all of this is the result of careful acoustic design.
V&A Fashion Gallery acoustic concept treatment
In a gallery, acoustics are as critical as lighting or spatial planning. The challenge is to create an environment that supports concentration and reflection, while still allowing for conversation and events. Too much reverberation can blur speech and make the space feel restless; too little and the gallery risks feeling lifeless and flat. If there are multiple audio-visual enabled installations, we need to design each to be audible to its immediate audience, while not impinging on other areas.
Our approach brings together materials science, spatial geometry, and design collaboration. For example, in the V&A’s flagship Fashion Gallery, we’re working to integrate sound-absorbing finishes seamlessly into the Grade I listed walls and ceilings, ensuring that the gallery’s heritage aesthetic wasn’t compromised.
Equally important is flexibility. Modern galleries are not only places for viewing art — they host talks, performances, and community events. Acoustic solutions must adapt to these multiple uses without detracting from the primary role of showcasing art.
Natural History Museum acoustic concept treatment
At its best, acoustic design goes unnoticed. Visitors simply feel immersed in the work on display, undistracted by noise. It’s a silent partner in creating the right atmosphere.
In shaping a new gallery, our goal is to ensure that the space itself listens as carefully as the people within it.