How to provide delight that will energise retail spaces
6 Apr 2022
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Whilst there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how a space is styled, it is important for retail and commercial spaces to be well designed as it plays a pivotal role in customer satisfaction. Learn how to invigorate these spaces with thoughtful and polished looking interiors that leave customers feeling happy and encourage more dwell time.
For Retail and Commercial spaces it is important to have the balance of practical architecture that is enhanced by interior aesthetics. Often, the main goals clients need to address urgently are: how to increase footfall in stores, how to utilise the space efficiently, and how quickly it can be done with minimal downtime.
Vtec Group specialise in commercial wall and ceiling systems that are designed to make it easy for specifiers and designers to use. With an understanding of the versatility a retail spaces’ needs, they help to redefine interiors to help build longevity in a brands commercial success. Here are some ideas to energise these spaces.
SOPHISTICATED BACKGROUNDS
An intriguing way to transform a space is to change the interior’s canvas. With Vtec’s Texture Wall Panelsthis can be done overnight as there is no mortar mixing or wet trades. There is so much beauty in Vtec’s wall systems. It offers a true and authentic atmosphere due to the natural textures and features, as they are produced from original walls.
Texture Wall Panels are large in panel size with minimal jointing making it a seamless install finish from wall to wall. Due to their size, they also allow for rapid installation which in turn ensures a faster delivery date for completion. Lightweight, they can be used on almost any type of wall, being easily adaptable.
Texture wall panels come in 4 different effects - Brick, Concrete, Stone and Timber. Each effect has its own unique set of styles and colours, allowing designers to have the exciting freedom to customise and choose the right texture and style that is best suited to the effect they have imagined. Having a beautiful brick or concrete wall in record time, ensures operations can resume or begin faster, especially for clients under a strict timeline. With a beautiful backdrop that has a tactile and organic look it also helps to set the space more intentionally, acting as a canvas for retailing.
LOOK UP
Studies show that ceiling heights actually help and influence customers to make more imaginative and comprehensive purchases. Vtec can see therefore why it is important that even in looking up there is detail and well processed design ideas. Ceilings in retail spaces are linked to consumers buying behaviours. When specifiers, designers and architects are working in this area, getting acoustics, aesthetics and adaptability right are key. All three must come together and be applied creatively to establish the right setting and ambience.
Vtec’s accent ceilings help infuse spaces with sophistication and warmth. The MaxiBeam system is a lightweight feature beam system that offers unparalleled creative scope. MaxiBeam recreates traditional timber looks and characterful features with design freedom. Creative ceilings can be done uniquely such as geometric shapes, curved designs and angled ends. Importantly, when it comes to having an adaptable system, MaxiBeam integrates any lighting, or M&E services, making it easy to install. Acoustically diffusive, it is installed under a perforated ceiling and is perfect for walls, ceilings, rafts or independent screens.
And for every retail project, there is a SupaSlat option. Vtec’s SupaSlat is a modular slatted wood panel system for walls and ceilings. It combines the natural charm, warmth and beauty of wood into a system that is easy to use in its services and acoustic requirements. SupaSlat is a winning blend of beautiful natural solid timber, with stunning veneer, laminate or painted finishes, completely unique and bespoke to every project.
CONSIDERATE MATERIALS
There are many physical attributes on invigorating retail spaces quickly and easily, but an increasingly important choice to evoke longer dwelling time is choosing sustainable materials. Vtec’s MaxiBeam and SupaSlat system are available as FSC or PEFC certified. They value sourcing responsibly and are committed to following sustainable practices for a kinder world. Reducing carbon foot print in retail stores is increasing. Therefore, specifiers need to ensure that sustainable materials are being used to help deliver this. Consumer retail behaviour has changed, being much more self-aware of the spaces they spend time in. Knowing that a space has been designed with considerable thought of the life cycle of the building and its interior, affects a positive buying attitude.
A retail space can have the perfect real estate, but if it is not planned properly with customer satisfaction at its core, then it will not be effective. It is important that an interior addresses its aesthetics carefully, ensuring that the commercial space reflects the brand and their customers are happy and satisfied.
Because they are manufacturers, Vtec understand the complexities of walls and ceilings. Their technical team coordinates with M&E teams to ensure perfect integration of all services using 3D Modelling. Dedicated project managers walk each step of the journey with clients providing on-going support and feedback. Vtec helps support designers and architects in their creation of beautiful interiors that leave happy impressions and memories, providing solutions for every project.
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Image copyright Vtec Group Ltd
5 Distinctive design ideas for hospitality spaces in 2022
3rd March 2022
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With the changes to how we travel, relax and have fun, hospitality spaces have had to make significant changes to adapt to the shifting landscape. Vtec forecasts 5 fast growing design elements that can deliver on a client’s brand both in its aesthetics and overall functions.
Bold hallways
Most often hallways are the first areas a visitor gets introduced to a brand. These transition spaces are echoed throughout hallways, elevators and lobbies. Bold and striking patterns stand out and add depth to these spaces. Vtec's Decorative Wall and Ceiling Systems all deliver thousands of design options. From slatted lightweight feature beams in a bespoke colour to textured wall panel systems like Timber which can be installed overnight.
Tile art
Taking inspiration from mosaics, Tile Art looks are using tiles to not just be functional but instead become artistic pieces that are part of a space’s interior. Vtec's metal wall tiles and panels are hand finished, delivering beautiful colour variations like patina, brass or zinc that are both visually arresting and stunning. Quick and easy to install, metal tile art creates a space to be anything from grand, to off-beat and quirky.
Blur the lines
The concept of bringing nature inside is often heard and there is a reason for that. This blending of outside elements and inside materials is a delicious sensory encounter. Earthy colour palettes and raw roots to the design help to promote this mental respite. You'll find several biophilic options to choose from at Vtec. Cork has a choice of tones and textures depending on the mood that needs to be set. It is easy to maintain and has natural acoustic properties. Arctic Moss provides creative scope in 16 colours with zero upkeep. Think tiles, islands or spheres. For further transcending of this natural dwelling space, go bold. Explore a floor to ceiling featured wall with Vtec Timber wall panels that are light-weight, incredibly durable and quick to install.
Cosy comfort
Travellers now want cosiness and comfort, like home away from home. That can be soft textures, eclectic lighting or comfortable seating. But can walls and ceilings be cosy? Absolutely! Vtec's Concrete wall panels compliment rich and textured furnishings making spaces more inviting and relaxing.
Sustainable
Any design or renovation of a hospitality space needs to have sustainability built into its practice and credentials. Vtec supports their clients throughout this journey. Many of their Slat's, Beams and Acoustic systems are produced in FSC or PEFC Certified materials, protecting responsible and sustainable forest management. For more playful options like Vtec's Cork panels, it is both natural and sustainable due to be being hand-harvested with a lot of care and attention to good husbandry. For other thoughtful design ideas, Vtec's Arctic Moss is made from natural Reindeer Moss harvested by hand from the forest floor, always ensuring that sustainable re-growth is achieved. Both Cork and Artic Moss provide that strong connection with nature and at the same time paying complete respect to our planet and people.
Interior trends change; but these core ideas can help take a space to another level with creative and intuitive interpretations.
Vtec are manufacturers of systems that are both beautiful and expressive, so they understand the complexities of walls and ceilings. Their technical team coordinates with M&E teams to ensure perfect integration of all services using 3D Modelling. Design is at the core of what Vtec do and they make it easy for Architects and Designers by providing solutions and ideas for every project. Dedicated project managers walk each step of the journey with clients providing on-going support and feedback. They help clients deliver creative interiors with unique and easy to install systems that leave lasting memories.
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Image copyright - Vtec Group Ltd
Architectural Acoustics in Interiors
But how can you make it look good?
27 Jan 2022
Sound can be a strong factor in the overall experience of a space and without proper consideration, sound can become noise. Acoustic comfort therefore plays an integral role in creating a pleasant and acceptable experience for occupants. Vtec Group provides a range of design flexible acoustic panels and systems that support the design of successful interiors in terms of both aesthetics and acoustic design.
So, what are the main areas or types of space that require the right balance of design, in terms of both beauty and acoustic experience?
Lecture Spaces
Speech Clarity
The understanding and comprehension of speech depends largely on the acoustic properties of a space. Vtec see the importance of this in education and office settings where listening and speech, play important roles. In lecture spaces for example, speech clarity needs prominence over any background noise. Specifiers therefore need to accomplish the task of both absorbing reverberation whilst reflecting desirable sound to allow speech to reach the rear of the space clearly. Industry recommendations for spaces where speech intelligibility is required, suggests a reverberation time of 1-1.5 seconds. To effectively treat these spaces, designers and architects need to manage reverberation, reduce echoes, balance absorption and reflection, often incorporating the acoustic consultant’s criteria into the overall design.
Vtec’s MaxiBeam, MaxiBeam Soft, Soft Panel and newly-launched EchoTone all offer acoustic capabilities. MaxiBeam which is a lightweight beam system, can achieve acoustic capabilities and is still incredibly design led. MaxiBeam is frequently installed under Acoustic Backing Board. The acoustic absorption varies according to material, centres, beam height and void depth, and Acoustic Test Data shows an NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) ranging from 0.25 - 0.85. Their soft acoustic panels like Soft Panel (providing NRC of 0.70 - 0.90) and EchoTone - 100% recyclable PET fibres (an NRC of 0.40 - 1.0), both provide a broad range of colours to choose from to enhance your design, which enable delivery of bold and creative options.
Where Acoustics are integral to the design, but there are budget constraints, MicroSlat delivers on the visual appeal of wooden slats but with cost effective finishing options. It is lightweight and modular in its design and recommended for projects that want the feel, quality and visual appeal of real wood but without the cost. Rapid to install, MicroSlat is combined with a premium grade integral acoustic backing behind the slats. Acoustic Absorption varies according to absorbing material, slat sizes, slat spacings and slat depths and can be between NRC 0.35 – 0.90 .
There is zero compromise on design, over function with any of these systems. Lightweight and easy to install, Vtec’s systems support bespoke and exclusive options that whilst beautiful help to solve and reduce sound and noise challenges.
Healthcare Spaces
Quiet Zones
Reducing the intensity of sound and how it is reflected and absorbed is essential in spaces where maximum silence is needed for concentration and restorative purposes. You will find this most often in hospitals, museums and classrooms. In healthcare buildings, acoustics help deliver a therapeutic influence to patients, minimising their recuperation and recovery times. The main targets to address in these spaces is reducing external noise from other rooms and noises from machinery. Sound minimising and vibration control is therefore needed. Industry recommendations stipulate that in these settings, roughly the equivalent of 80% of a floor area needs to have sound absorption elements incorporated.
To treat these common concerns, Vtec recommend incorporating acoustic panels via walls or ceilings to assist in mitigating unwanted noise and sound distraction.
MaxiBeam is one recommended option as it is a lightweight beam system that is acoustically diffusive and when used with EchoTone - premium grade acoustic panels, this provides absorption too, with an NRC rating from 0.25 - 0.85. These systems support designers and architects with any creative and imaginative scope to produce design structures that are simple or complex. MaxiBeam helps to truly define an interior with beautiful visual impact. Importantly, for spaces such as aforementioned, there are antimicrobial laminate finishes to the system that support better hygiene. This can help reduce time or difficulty spent cleaning these systems.
Performance Space
Rooms for Music & Drama
The most well-known consideration of a space is for auditory purposes. Listening, comfort and support are key elements. Audiences need to hear music, there must be a balance between vocals and instruments, performers need to hear themselves and others clearly, and external sounds need to be minimal. All these factors help to create the basis for a cohesive soundscape.
Vtec recommend in these spaces for sound to be reflective and have a "flat" reverberation which is commonly known as a "warm reverb". Typical reverberation times for band spaces is 0.8-1.0 seconds, and choral spaces 1.0-1.3 seconds. To assist in the volume of a space Vtec suggest featured acoustic floating rafts and suspended ceilings near audience sections. At stage areas, acoustic panels can be used to diffuse and scatter the sound.
Their hero system for sound success is Supacoustic, a perforated acoustic panel system that is completely customed in design and finish per project. The panels come in 10 different perforation styles and are backed with premium grade acoustic fabric backing. Dependant on the void depth and perforation option, the Noise Reduction Coefficient varies between 0.45 to 0.90 NRC. Ceilings, Suspended Rafts and Walling Systems can all be achieved via Supacoustic, with sound absorption at the heart of its design and purpose.
To integrate the beauty of wood and sound performance with stunning featured ceilings or walls, SupaSlat delivers this winning combination. The SupaSlat system is a modular slatted wood panel system produced in any size or shape. It has the perfect blend of charm, warmth and the beauty of wood. Designed with an integrated acoustic textile into the rear of the panel, SupaSlat has an NRC rating of up to 1.0 dependant on its configurations.
Say goodbye to prosaic grey elements. Functional spaces, great looks and acoustic performance can all work in harmony! Vtec enable specifiers to be completely confident that the integrity of their design is not compromised when considering sound reflection properties.
At Vtec they are the manufacturers of their systems, so they understand the complexities of walls and ceilings and the importance of quality soundscapes. Vtec coordinate with M&E teams to ensure perfect integration of all services using 3D Modelling. Design is at the core of what they do, and they make it easy for Architects and Designers by providing solutions and ideas for every project. Their dedicated project managers walk each step of the journey with their clients providing on-going support and feedback. With their light weight easy to install systems they enable specifiers to provide superior visual appeal and authentic noise control. Together, Vtec make it easy to create excellent interior spaces with high performance sound quality.
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Image copyright - Vtec Group Ltd