Craig Wheatley, Director at Pacy & Wheatley Acoustics, explained to David Crowson, Editor, the uses and benefits of acoustic plaster.
Craig explained that Pacy & Wheatley Acoustics, part of Pacy & Wheatley Construction, was established in 1968 and has since evolved into the Pacy & Wheatley Group, which includes construction and interiors brands. As the group looked to expand its specialist offerings, the team attended trade shows across Europe in the mid-to-late 1990s, where they discovered a range of innovative products. This marked the start of the journey into acoustic plasters and specialist installations. He proudly said: “One of our first prestigious projects we worked on was the Bank of England on Threadneedle Street, where we installed a staggering 4,000m² of acoustic plaster.”
Acoustic plaster use and benefits
Craig explained that acoustic plaster has been around for many years and is designed to optimise the acoustics of interior spaces while maintaining a minimalist, seamless ceiling finish — unlike traditional panels or suspended ceilings, where joints, trims, and fixtures are visible. This seamless approach gives architects greater design freedom, allowing them to meet interior requirements while using hard, reflective materials such as stone, ceramics, or glass. These materials typically cause reverberation, but the acoustic plaster helps reduce this by absorbing sound across ceiling surfaces and, in some cases, wall areas. The system also offers flexibility in terms of finishes and colour options.
He said: “Pacy & Wheatley Acoustics has been at the forefront of product development since 2000, working closely with specialist plaster manufacturers to further advance effective acoustic spray solutions.
“Acoustic plaster material is often used in environments where noise and, as mentioned, reverberation need to be controlled to support wellbeing by creating calmer spaces and removing unwanted sound. This allows the space to be enjoyed more comfortably. Typical applications include offices, where it enhances speech clarity and reduces background noise; retail spaces and shopping centres, where it improves the customer experience by lowering ambient noise; theatres and auditoriums, where it controls reverberation for better sound quality; restaurants and cafés, creating a more comfortable dining environment; residential interiors, providing quiet, calm living spaces; museums and galleries, maintaining acoustics without compromising aesthetics; and educational settings, where it supports concentration and learning through sound control — among many others.”
Craig went on to explain installation and materials, advancements in acoustic control, applications and international reach, acoustic spray systems, growing awareness and benefits and shared a case study at the opulent Park Hyatt Hotel.
Installation and materials
Acoustic plasters are typically applied to a base panel, often made from mineral or stone wool, which provides high sound absorption qualities. This is followed by multiple applications of the relevant plaster product to achieve a smooth, high-level finish.
Most seamless acoustic plaster products can also be installed on curved or vaulted ceilings, accommodating more complex installations.
Advancements in acoustic control
Over the last 20 years, acoustic control within spaces has advanced significantly. Nowadays, nearly every project incorporates a variety of soft and hard acoustic materials with sound-absorbing properties on walls and ceilings.
Acoustic plaster systems work by absorbing sound energy, whereas standard plaster reflects it. This absorption significantly reduces reverberation, improving speech intelligibility and overall comfort.
Applications and international reach
We have installed many of our seamless acoustic plaster solutions throughout the UK and internationally in a wide range of settings, including universities, restaurants, office spaces, entrance halls, museums, libraries, dining areas, and even exclusive private residences and swimming pool areas.
For historic buildings, our acoustic plaster solutions for walls and ceilings have been carefully utilised, with a thorough sampling process always conducted to ensure the best results.
Acoustic spray systems
As well as seamless smooth systems, there is also an acoustic spray option that suits the industrial look often found in office or commercial environments. This cellulose-based spray can be applied directly to rib deck soffits or other ceiling types, offering a textured finish where seamless ceilings may not be appropriate. It effectively controls reverberation and can be applied directly to many surfaces.
We are committed to sustainability, and all acoustic plaster systems we work with are highly environmentally friendly, carrying multiple certifications that align with these values. They contribute to sustainable building certifications by supporting credits in leading green building schemes such as Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and The WELL Building Standard (WELL) through low emissions, recycled content, and strong overall environmental performance.
Growing awareness and benefits
The demand for more staff comfort and wellbeing is growing, and the understanding of acoustic control within spaces has advanced significantly, which is great news for everyone.
https://pacy-wheatley-acoustics.co.uk
Case study
Sleek sound control at opulent Park Hyatt Hotel
Rockfon Mono Acoustic has been installed throughout a variety of key spaces within the stunning new Park Hyatt Hotel which forms part of the 42 storey One Nine Elms River Tower, sited on the banks of the iconic Thames. Offering its discerning global clientele a choice of 203 suites and rooms, The Park Hyatt aims to set standards in terms of patron experience for those who visit and stay. Clearly, successful sound control was key in achieving that goal.
High calibre design and build team
Working alongside shell and core architects Kohn Pedersen Fox Ltd. and main contractor Multiplex, architects Studio Moren were tasked by owners R&F Properties UK to realise their ambitious plans for the hotel. Titan Interior Solutions were appointed to carry out drylining and other works to walls and ceilings, which is where the characteristics of Rockfon Mono Acoustic marked it out as the perfect fit to provide the Class A sound absorption and sleek monolithic aesthetics demanded within these chic, opulent surroundings.
Sounds beautiful
Pacy & Wheatley Acoustics undertook the exacting installation of around 2,123m2 of Mono Acoustic in spaces throughout the hotel, including the ballroom and break-out spaces, restaurants, bars, retail spaces, several meeting rooms, the entrance lobby and other communal areas.
Meeting the challenge with ingenuity and dedication
Pacy & Wheatley Director of Acoustics, David Booth, said: “Each space within this project presented a new set of technical and practical challenges, whether it be fitting seamlessly to the elliptical glass fibre reinforced gypsum (GFRG or GRG) feature in the wine bar, to the steel grid design in the all-day dining restaurant or precisely accommodating apertures for 434 light fittings within the lobby bar. The elaborate quadranted ceilings in the break-out spaces also meant working to rigorous criteria. The versatility of Rockfon Mono Acoustic supported by the ingenuity and dedication of our team meant each facet of the project met or exceeded the requirements of the design and build team.”
To read more case studies visit: https://pacy-wheatley-acoustics.co.uk/projects/
