A Historic Museum Transformed with Acoustic Design

A foyer designed for connection and clarity

Located in Stuttgart, Germany, the Württemberg State Museum combines historical preservation with modern performance. Led by Dipl.-Ing. Pia Elser, the redesign of the Old Palace’s Dürnitzhalle foyer features a 750 square metre Rockfon Mono Acoustic ceiling. The upgrade enhances both acoustic comfort and visual cohesion in this central cultural space. The solution was chosen to support the museum’s mission of offering a welcoming, functional, and inclusive environment.

A thoughtful redesign for a cultural landmark

Located in Stuttgart’s Old Palace, the Württemberg State Museum required a foyer that respected the site's historic character while improving its function as a public entry point. The Dürnitzhalle, once a medieval social hall, was reimagined as an open, multi-use area to accommodate exhibitions, café seating, and community events, forming a key part of the museum’s visitor journey.

The foyer’s original architecture – stone floors, vaulted ceilings, and hard wall surfaces – created excessive reverberation. Acoustic control was critical to ensure that speech and ambient sound remained comfortable for both visitors and staff. Any solution had to meet performance needs while remaining visually integrated within the protected historic structure.

To address these needs, the design team specified 750 square metres of Rockfon Mono Acoustic. The ceiling system offered Class A sound absorption in a smooth, monolithic surface. Its bright white finish helped diffuse daylight across the room, improving both acoustic comfort and visual clarity without drawing attention away from architectural or curatorial elements.

With no visible joints or grid lines, Rockfon Mono Acoustic allowed the ceiling to blend into the background while complementing heritage features. This approach ensured full attention could be given to the foyer’s suspended glass artworks – illuminated objects selected from a collection spanning over four millennia of glassmaking, curated from the museum’s permanent holdings.

The ceiling was installed under the direction of Dipl.-Ing. Pia Elser, who oversaw detailed coordination between building preservation teams and acoustic engineers. Installation required high precision to ensure both technical performance and compliance with conservation standards, while working around original features of the Old Palace.

The result is a space that supports diverse public use without compromising heritage values. Visitors enter a foyer where light and sound are carefully balanced, allowing the museum to host lectures, informal gatherings, and daily traffic with clarity and comfort. The Dürnitzhalle now serves as both a transitional space and an active part of the museum’s programme.