Our clients run a busy waterfront restaurant. Following numerous customer complaints, they were looking to reduce noise levels whilst maintaining the overall aesthetics of the restaurant. They wanted the best coverage of the restaurant seating area and entrance without any obstruction. We initially designed nine panels made from Serge Ferrari Alphalia Acoustic mesh that had 25mm x 25mm tube inserted the end pockets with eye strap saddles attached through cut outs in the mesh.

Turnbuckles attached to eye pad fittings were used to tension the panels. The mesh was chosen for it’s performance in acoustic and flammability tests, anti-microbial properties and ease of cleaning. Ability to manipulate the fabric to make it billow to mimic the sails on yachts in the adjacent harbour was also a factor in the choice of fabric. The panels were installed in December 2023 however due to a refurbishment of the restaurant, the panels were removed in August 2024.

Following substantial refurbishment of the restaurant, we had to completely re-size the panels, re-design some of them and make new ones to accommodate the changes in the restaurant design. While it was important to re-use as much of the fabric from the original job as possible, we also had the challenge of a very tight timeframe and limited additional available stock.

We had to work with a completely different entryway design and bar area, new light fittings, sound system speakers, and fire systems.

The timeframe for re-installation was extremely tight and involved working at heights, working around multiple other trades including painters and the issue of wet paint, and a restaurant that had not been cleared of tables and chairs which were stacked high impeding access.

The panels needed to be wrapped and only unrolled for install, holding them aloft to prevent them becoming dirty. Each panel required four glove wearing staff persons to assist with the install. Each panel had to be individually tensioned to obtain a uniform billow look.

Final installation was complete in November 2024 once the last of the structural changes to the restaurant were finished enabling us to modify and install the last panel.

The client was delighted with the end result and the feedback from his customers about the change in acoustics has been extremely positive.