Melbourne is a city of architectural contrasts. One street houses a bluestone heritage cottage, and right on the next, you’ll see a modern concrete and glass build. While this contrast makes for a beautiful cityscape, it creates a challenge for sound control.
Whether it’s the rattle of a passing tram on St Kilda Road or the “echo chamber” effect of a high-ceilinged warehouse conversion in Richmond, acoustic treatment in Melbourne requires a localised, expert approach.
At VIP Designs, we’ve spent years reducing noise in Melbourne’s most iconic spaces. From high-rise offices in the CBD to luxury residences in Toorak, we’ve identified the best practices that ensure your space doesn’t just look like a Melbourne icon; it also sounds like a sanctuary.
1. Addressing the “Hard Surface” Trend
The modern Melbourne aesthetic leans heavily on raw materials: polished concrete floors, exposed brick, and floor-to-ceiling glazing. These materials are “acoustically live,” meaning they reflect sound waves with almost zero absorption.
Best Practice: Don’t wait until move-in day to realise the room is too noisy.
- For Residential: Integrate acoustic ceiling solutions early in the design. A seamless acoustic plaster ceiling can mimic the look of standard plasterboard while absorbing the “clatter” of a busy family kitchen.
- For Commercial: Use acoustic walls in Melbourne offices to break up sound paths. High-density PET panels or upholstered acoustic walls can serve as functional art pieces that also serve a technical purpose.
2. Managing Urban Noise (Trams, Traffic, and Pedestrians)
Melbourne is a bustling 24-hour city. If you live or work near a major artery like Punt Road or the Eastern Freeway, external noise infiltration is your biggest enemy.
Best Practice: Use a “Mass-plus-Absorption” strategy.
- To block street noise, you need mass. We recommend acoustic ceiling installation that incorporates high-density plasterboard or Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV).
- To handle tram vibration (the classic “Melbourne Hum”), specialised isolation clips can be used to “decouple” your ceiling from the building’s structure, preventing the vibration from becoming audible noise.
3. Creating “Acoustic Zones” in Open-Plan Offices
Melbourne’s CBD and tech hubs (like Cremorne) have moved away from cubicles toward wide-open collaborative spaces. The downside? One loud phone call can disrupt the entire floor.
Best Practice: Targeted acoustic treatment Melbourne wide now focuses on zoning.
- The “Hush” Zone: Use seamless acoustic plaster in boardrooms to ensure total speech privacy.
- The “Collab” Zone: Use hanging baffles or acoustic clouds over communal tables to dampen the “chatter” without closing off the space.
Technical Standards: The “Aussie” Rules
When treating a space in Melbourne, we strictly adhere to AS/NZS 2107:2016. This standard recommends specific “design sound levels” for different types of rooms. For example, a private bedroom should be significantly quieter than a retail shop.
At VIP Designs, we don’t just guess; we look at the NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) of every material we install to ensure it meets Australian standards, providing you with results backed by science.
Best Practices for Different Melbourne Property Types
| Property Type | Common Noise Issue | Recommended Solution |
| Warehouse Conversion | High-frequency echo (reverberation) | BASWA Phon Seamless Acoustic Plaster |
| Docklands Apartment | Wind noise & neighbor footfall | Acoustic Plasterboard + MLV Layering |
| CBD Boardroom | Lack of speech privacy | Acoustic Wall Finishes + Seamless Ceiling |
| Suburban Home | Hard flooring “click-clack” | Ceiling Acoustic Treatment (Absorption) |
Why Choose a Local Melbourne Specialist?
There’s a reason why VIP Designs is the preferred choice for acoustic treatment in Melbourne. We understand local building styles, climate, and the expectations of this city’s design-savvy residents and business owners.
We don’t just “slap on” panels; we provide a hand-finished, artisan service that turns a technical requirement into a luxury feature.
Ready to Quiet Your Corner of Melbourne?
Whether you’re struggling with city noise or just want to make your home feel more premium, our Melbourne-based team is here to help. We provide end-to-end service, from the initial acoustic assessment to the final trowel-stroke of plaster.
Call +61 406 011 642 and book a site visit with our Melbourne acoustic experts at VIP Designs today!
FAQs: Melbourne Acoustic Specialities
Does the Melbourne weather affect acoustic plaster?
Melbourne’s humidity swings can be tricky. However, the premium systems used by VIP Designs, such as BASWA Phon, are incredibly stable. They are mineral-based and won’t sag or warp like cheaper ceiling tiles might during a humid Melbourne summer.
How do I stop noise from the apartment above me?
This is a “transmission” issue. The best practice is to install a “dropped” acoustic ceiling. We use resilient mounts to create a small air gap, then fill that gap with acoustic batts and finish it with a high-density acoustic board. It’s the most effective way to reclaim your peace and quiet.
Can I get a custom colour to match my heritage interior?
Absolutely. Many of our Melbourne clients want to maintain a specific “Off-White” or “Cream” that matches heritage cornices. Our acoustic plaster can be tinted to virtually any colour, ensuring the modern tech blends with the classic aesthetic.
Are acoustic treatments fire-rated for commercial buildings?
Yes. All materials we install meet the Victorian building codes for fire safety (Group 1-S ratings). This is essential for compliance in any Melbourne commercial fit-out.
