Noise Control Along the Westerschelde

A campus designed around climate targets

Conceived as a real-world laboratory for the energy and mobility transition, the EUREF-Campus in Düsseldorf, Germany development brings together businesses, researchers, and institutions working towards a climate-neutral future. Spread across more than 80 000 square metres of offices and event spaces, the campus was designed to meet Germany’s CO₂ climate targets for 2045 before the deadline arrives.

The offices needed an acoustic strategy that supports concentration and comfort across workplaces where conversations and focused tasks overlap throughout the day. But, the campus’ energy concept introduced a rather particular challenge for the use of ceilings.

An acoustic strategy with the soffit exposed

Core-activated ceilings form the backbone of the campus’ energy strategy. By using exposed concrete slabs for heating and cooling, the system significantly improves energy efficiency. However, the strategy also limits the use of wall-to-wall acoustic ceilings as covering the soffits would reduce the effectiveness of the thermal activation system.

Independent acoustic consultant Dezibel-Werk GmbH analysed the acoustic requirements across the office interiors and meeting rooms. Beyond lowering reverberation values on paper, the goal was to create areas that feel calmer and comfortable to work from throughout the day.

Two flexible acoustic solutions

Leveraging the horizontal surfaces, nearly 50 square metres of Rockfon Lamella acoustic wall panels were installed throughout the offices. The modular wall system combines oak-veneered slats with sound-absorbing 40mm stone wool panels, softening sound reflection while introducing the tactile warmth of wood as well as rhythm. The system’s modular clip-based installation simplifies installation on site, allowing for simplified alignment.

In addition, 62 Rockfon Eclipse floating ceiling panels are suspended across the office spaces in the Rectangle shape. Because the panels float beneath the exposed soffits rather than covering them entirely, they preserve the openness of the interior. The panels feature an ultra-white, ultra-matte surface with 87 percent light reflectance. This helps distribute both daylight and artificial lighting more effectively through the office interiors, contributing to both acoustic comfort and to a brighter and more visually comfortable working environment.

Acoustic comfort aligned with sustainability

Both Rockfon Lamella and Rockfon Eclipse feature a combination of recyclable and recycled stone wool, supporting the wider ambitions of the campus itself where environmental targets and occupant well-being are treated as key considerations.