Aker Tech House: Built for Innovation

Acoustical comfort for forward-thinking tenants

Located in the emerging business hub of Fornebu, Aker Tech House is a seven-storey office building that brings together companies in software and clean energy. The design balances architectural ambition with acoustic comfort to support collaboration and concentration. By integrating Rockfon Mono Acoustic and Rockfon Color-all solutions across key zones, the building achieves both visual elegance and the soundscapes needed for modern work.

Design that reflects a vision

Aker Tech House was designed to reflect the energy and ambition of its tenants, which include leading tech firms like Cognite and Aker Horizons. Swedish architecture studio Wingårdhs approached the design as a flexible tech campus, placing long-term adaptability at its core. Rather than rely on trend-led finishes, they selected calm, neutral materials intended to age well and support tenant evolution.

Natural stone, concrete, metal, and wood are layered across the interior to create visual balance. These materials – while durable – also present acoustic challenges, particularly when paired with the high ceilings and open spaces found throughout the building. To resolve this, Rockfon Mono Acoustic was installed across key ceiling areas, offering seamless integration and high sound absorption in a visually minimal form.

The central atrium is a dramatic focal point, crowned by a 31-metre spiral staircase with golden lacquered finishes. Daylight is funnelled through the full height of the space, supported by an intentional colour gradient: white ceiling panels give way to grey at floor level, reinforcing the feeling of vertical light. Here, Rockfon Mono Acoustic not only manages reverberation but supports the visual transition from ceiling to floor.

Circulation and shared areas were carefully zoned to minimise noise disruption. Balconies with vegetation, angled parapets, and generous staircases help break up sound paths and define the flow of movement. In these spaces, Rockfon’s acoustic solutions contribute to quieter transitions, allowing employees to navigate the building without disrupting concentration zones.

In the auditorium, Rockfon Color-all ceiling tiles in Charcoal and Anthracite form a subtle two-tone palette, punctuated by integrated LED fixtures. The deeper tones visually frame the space, enhancing contrast and comfort for presentations. These panels also support speech intelligibility by reducing echo—essential for effective communication in large, enclosed settings.

Office floors were designed with tenant input, offering layouts that suit a range of working styles. In open-plan areas, Mercury-coloured Rockfon Color-all tiles were chosen for their slightly metallic finish and soft light reflection. The darker ceiling surface adds visual weight and a sense of calm, aligning with the building’s overall emphasis on user comfort and refined simplicity.