Transforming Textile Waste into Acoustic Solutions

A new range of acoustic panels by Sze Tjin Yek made from post-consumer textile waste provides opportunities for architects, interior designers, and product designers to integrate sustainable solutions into their projects. These panels address both aesthetic and sustainability considerations, offering a functional and environmentally friendly option for modern interiors.

Sorbet
The Sorbet acoustic panels, developed by Sze Tjin Yek as part of an industrial design honours project, are the result of extensive materials research into waste materials and binders. The panels are made from 100% laundered and upcycled household textile waste, bound with a starch-based glue. This process reduces textile waste sent to landfill and aligns with circularity principles by repurposing discarded materials.

The starch-based glue, consisting of tapioca starch, vinegar, salt, and water, is shown to have durability comparable to PVA under non-humid conditions. During manufacturing, the glue is dehydrated with the textile material, creating a porous structure that enhances the panels’ noise absorption properties. Performance tests in controlled environments indicate that 24mm-thick Sorbet panels outperform equally thick EchoPanel by 10.5% and acoustic foam by 23.9% in sound absorption. The acoustic panels won the James Dyson Awards and the Good Design Awards.

Versatility and Applications
The panels are designed to deliver effective acoustic properties, making them suitable for various commercial and residential settings. Their patterns and textures, derived from the variability of recycled fabrics, present distinct design possibilities. Sorbet acoustic panels are available in colours such as Red Velvet, Blueberry Lemonade, and Hundreds and Thousands. These panels can function as decorative wall elements, room dividers, or standalone art installations. Their sound-absorbing properties are especially beneficial for open-plan spaces, offices, and public environments where noise control is a priority.

Sustainable Design in Action
The panels are manufactured without the use of virgin materials, reducing their environmental impact. By retaining the original textiles’ colours, the process eliminates the need for additional dyeing or chemical treatments. This approach enhances the sustainability of the product while ensuring that each panel is unique, demonstrating the potential for sustainable design to combine functionality with aesthetic value.

Relevance for Design Professionals
For architects and interior designers, Sorbet acoustic panels offer a practical solution for meeting sustainability objectives while enhancing the sensory quality of spaces. Their lightweight construction and ease of installation make them suitable for retrofitting or incorporation into new builds aiming for certifications like BREEAM or LEED.

Product designers may find the method of reusing waste streams inspiring, providing insight into how similar approaches could be applied to other areas. The panels highlight how reimagining waste materials can lead to sustainable and innovative design solutions.

Advancing Sustainability Goals
The use of household textile waste in construction and design products supports global initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and minimise waste. Given that household textiles have one of the lowest recovery rates after plastics, their utilisation represents a significant step toward addressing material waste issues. The Sorbet panels exemplify how design can contribute to environmental goals by creating high-performing, recycled products.

These acoustic panels combine sustainable design and material innovation, offering an effective solution for reducing environmental impact in interior spaces. Their functionality, aesthetic appeal, and environmental benefits make them a relevant choice for design professionals seeking to integrate sustainability into their projects.

Source: Yanko Design
Photos via Good Design Awards