Open-plan assessment
AET designed the system around open-plan areas and the additional sound travel created by the atrium.
Case Study
Nestle sound masking across three open-plan floors
AET installed and commissioned a multi-zone sound masking system for Nestle, helping make speech less intelligible at a distance across open-plan areas on three floors connected by a large atrium.
160
Speakers installed
3
Floors covered
50+
Speakers per floor on average
1
Bespoke Elite system
The acoustic challenge
Nestle needed to reduce distraction from conversations across open-plan working areas. A large central atrium added to the challenge by allowing speech to travel between floors.
Ceiling void installation
Speakers were installed within the ceiling void, firing towards the slab to create an indirect, even sound.
Multi-zone setup
The system was split into multiple adjustable zones across the three floors.
Long-term maintenance
AET has continued to provide maintenance support for the system for more than 10 years.
Outcome
Long-term sound masking for a multi-floor workplace
The installation helped make open-plan conversations less intelligible at a distance and supported acoustic consistency across three floors.
Reduced speech intelligibility
The system helped make conversations less intelligible at a distance across open-plan areas.
Atrium support
The system was designed for open-plan floors connected by the central atrium, where speech could travel between levels.
Bespoke Elite system
AET supplied an Elite system suited to the project requirements.
Long-term continuity
The installation has been maintained by AET for more than 10 years.
Nestle’s system has supported the workplace for more than a decade, helping reduce speech intelligibility at a distance across its open-plan floors.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about sound masking and planning a workplace installation.
What is sound masking?
Sound masking introduces a carefully controlled background sound that makes speech less intelligible and reduces distraction.
Where can it be used?
It can support open offices, private offices, meeting rooms and other spaces where speech privacy or focus matters.
How do we start?
AET reviews the workplace, understands the privacy or comfort challenge, then recommends an acoustic approach for the space.