When you think of acoustic panels and sound insulation panels, they’re usually of a staid and regular color and design. But who says they have to be boring this way? Designer Emma Hayes is proving that sound control can be as beautiful as it is functional with her stunning new collaboration with Autex Acoustics.
These aren’t the usual office-grade acoustic panels we’ve gotten used to. Hayes has created something truly special by transforming natural New Zealand landscapes into mural-style wall treatments that happen to absorb sound brilliantly. The collection features eight different designs, each one capturing the subtle beauty of mist rolling over hills, the texture of weathered stone, and the gentle patterns found in native foliage.
Designer Name: Emma Hayes for Autex Acoustics
These panels look so captivating because of Hayes’ signature approach to color and texture. Her designs feature soft washes of color that create an almost painterly effect on the wall. Instead of the harsh, utilitarian look we typically associate with acoustic treatments, these panels bring warmth and organic beauty to any space. The patterns are subtle enough to work in professional environments yet striking enough to serve as genuine art pieces in residential settings. You get to choose from eight different designs: Sediment Forest, Eos Shadow, Nebula Mist, Vine Charcoal, Eos Blush, Modulations Shadow, Veil Rose, and Lakeside Daydream.
The technical side is just as impressive as the aesthetic. Each panel is engineered to reduce echo and improve sound clarity, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice performance for beauty. The panels are printed on Autex’s Cube and Quietspace systems, which are specifically designed for optimal acoustic performance while maintaining visual appeal. Sustainability plays a major role in this collection too. The panels are made from polyester acoustic fiber containing at least 80 percent recycled content, making them both carbon neutral and durable. The printing process uses UV-cured inks that deliver rich, vibrant colors without harmful emissions, showing that environmental responsibility doesn’t mean compromising on quality or appearance.
What’s particularly exciting about Hayes’ approach is how she’s reimagined what acoustic treatment can be. Instead of hiding sound-dampening materials behind decorative elements or accepting them as necessary eyesores, she’s turned them into the focal point of interior design. These panels transform ordinary soundproofing into refined design statements that enhance a room’s atmosphere as much as they improve its acoustics.
The timing couldn’t be better for this innovation. As more people work from home and open-plan offices continue to dominate commercial spaces, the need for effective acoustic solutions has never been greater. But nobody wants their space to look clinical or industrial. Hayes has found the sweet spot between technical performance and visual elegance. The collection works beautifully in various settings. In a home office, these panels can create a calming backdrop that reduces distracting echoes during video calls. In restaurants or cafes, they help manage noise levels while adding sophisticated visual interest to walls. Corporate spaces benefit from improved acoustics without sacrificing the welcoming atmosphere that modern workplaces strive to create.
Hayes’ collaboration with Autex Acoustics represents a broader trend in design where functionality and beauty are no longer seen as competing priorities. By drawing inspiration from New Zealand’s natural landscapes and translating them into functional art, she’s created something that enhances both the sound quality and visual appeal of interior spaces. This collection proves that the best design solutions often come from looking at problems differently. Instead of asking how to hide acoustic panels, Hayes asked how to make them beautiful. The result is a product that people actually want to display, turning a necessary building component into a design feature worth celebrating.
The post These Acoustic Panels Look Like Wall Art, Not Boring Office Equipment first appeared on Yanko Design.