Leading manufacturer of acoustic materials, Knauf has launched a new architectural website that shows how acoustic materials dampen noise in restaurants and create a better dining experience for guests.

The Sound of Architecture website (www.soundofarchitecture.com) takes users inside a busy virtual restaurant, creating an interactive sound experience. The user can click on ceiling or wall panels in the featured restaurant, and hear the difference that acoustic treatments make in noisy spaces.

Darren Tardio, senior acoustic consultant at Renzo Tonin and Associates supervised the sound design of the website. Various Knauf acoustic products including Plaza plasterboard ceiling tiles, and Stratopanel acoustic wall panels have been used to demonstrate the significant impact good acoustic treatments can have on restaurant spaces.

Blogs featured on the Sound of Architecture website offer interesting sound related insights and opinions from sound engineers, acoustic consultants, designers, architects, restaurant owners and hearing experts about things to consider from an acoustics perspective during the design process. Safe levels of noise for wait staff to work in; impact of loud background noise on diners; and advice on best acoustic design practice from a range of industry professionals feature in this section.

Knauf also announced the first round of winners of its second annual Dine Hear competition, which required participating architects, designers and students to describe the sound of their favourite restaurant in the most creative way possible (www.soundofarchitecture.com/dine-hear). The five winners were each awarded a pair of Parrot Zik headphones.

The competition moves on to the final round with a further 50 entrants selected to create a sketch of their favourite restaurant using the Knauf range of acoustic products to win the top prize of $5,000.