Flexible Acoustics for a Future-Ready University

Acoustics support LEED Gold university campus

Linnaeus University in Kalmar, Sweden, is a 65 000 m² campus designed for adaptability, comfort, and sustainability. Developed by Skanska and designed by Tengbom, the project is LEED Gold certified and supports modern academic life with large open spaces and multipurpose hubs. Rockfon acoustic solutions were chosen to manage sound in varied room types while aligning with the university’s clean, flexible interior vision.

Designing for well-being and adaptability

The design of Linnaeus University was driven by the ambition to create a flexible, student-oriented environment that balances openness with acoustic comfort. The campus includes a variety of formal and informal learning spaces, all planned to support modern academic life and future adaptability.

“It is important to consider how to stay flexible over time and that it must be easy to adapt to the changing university programs. It is intended to create the possibility for both planned and spontaneous meetings to take place everywhere,” says Linda Camara, architect at Tengbom.

This flexibility placed specific demands on the indoor environment, especially acoustics. “When it comes to acoustics, there are many large open areas here, which can be a challenge. To ensure a good sound- and study environment, we have chosen several acoustic solutions. One of them is an acoustic ceiling from Rockfon,” says Per Becker, project buyer at Skanska.

Rockfon acoustic ceilings were installed in a variety of room types across the campus, from classrooms to shared zones. Their Class A sound absorption supports speech clarity, concentration, and comfort, key to creating an environment that feels calm and functional.

Beyond performance, visual consistency was also a priority. “With Rockfon, we have been able to tailor the solutions; change the colour of both grid systems and tiles; adjust the size and format. This has been of great value to us as the suspended ceilings are very important,” adds Linda Camara.

The ability to customise ceiling layouts and finishes allowed the design team to meet the architectural vision without compromise. Acoustic solutions were integrated discreetly into each space, supporting both aesthetics and technical function.