Elevating Workplace Acoustics at the QBCC Office

Cre8 Sound Design collaborated with Plus Studio and Shape to elevate the new Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) office, tackling a challenge familiar to many workplaces; unwanted noise. From the outset, the goal was to create a workplace that not only looked refined but also felt balanced and acoustically comfortable.

In open-plan environments, hard surfaces and constant foot traffic often make it difficult for staff to concentrate, communicate and feel at ease. To support a more functional and comfortable soundscape, Pico Embossed Panel in colour 580 Sage was introduced. Its minimal form and soft tones help organise the space, while its acoustic performance quietly reduces reverberation to create a calmer, more focused environment. Pico Embossed Panel enhances clarity, reduces distraction and contributes to a sense of equilibrium throughout the workplace.

Acoustics have been taken to new heights in this project - demonstrating how the ceiling itself can become one of the most powerful design tools in a modern workspace. Cre8’s Halo Ceiling Fins, made from EchoPanel® 24mm in colours 580 Sage and 365 Navy, showcase how acoustic elements can function as both a practical solution and an architectural feature. Designed using the Cre8 Halo System, the fins are supported by a mechanically fixed suspension and channel configuration that removes the need for plastic clips or exposed connection points. This concealed system allows the fins to sit seamlessly within the ceiling, delivering a clean architectural finish while offering long-term structural strength. With greater density than EchoPanel® 12mm, the EchoPanel® 24mm provides superior sound absorption, enhancing clarity and balance across open-plan environments. Each panel was precision CNC-cut off site, ensuring consistency and enabling a streamlined installation with minimal onsite adjustment - resulting in a cleaner finish and reduced installation time.

In more focused workspace settings, EchoPanel® 12mm was used inside work pods, behind the TV and beneath the table in colour 580 Sage. These strategic placements soften sound within enclosed areas, control speech intelligibility and enhance comfort during meetings, video calls and concentrated tasks.

From Pico Embossed panel’s refined spatial organisation to EchoPanel® Longitude’s tonal rhythm, the Halo Fins’ architectural impact and the work-pod acoustic control, the refreshed QBCC office demonstrates how thoughtful acoustic design can transform the way people experience a workplace. When sound supports how people work, the entire environment becomes more intuitive, comfortable and connected.