Facing the new Munch Museum, the largest Villa Paradiso restaurant to date has been opened in Operagata 1. The Norwegian restaurant chain was established by Jan Vardøen and Trond Haug in 2004, and is known for Italian food and Neapolitan pizza. During the building of the venue, the acoustics were considered from the start. It has contributed to invisible acoustic absorbers and satisfied customers.
The importance of good acoustics in restaurants
With extensive experience from the restaurant industry in Norway and Europe, Jan Vardøen is clear about what is important for a good restaurant experience, in addition to the food.
- Bad acoustics are very troublesome for the guests and those who work. We know that this can spoil much of the pleasure of being out where you want a pleasant conversation around the table. I myself have had several restaurant experiences where the acoustics have been so bad that I just want to leave and never come back. Acoustics are therefore an important point in the design of a restaurant, says Vardøen. Vardøen believes it is difficult to know how the acoustics in a restaurant will be before it opens up to guests.
- Acoustics is not an exact science. It is difficult to know in advance how the acoustics will be experienced in the room. We know that both furnishings and surfaces can affect the acoustics positively or negatively. Hard surfaces can, for example, amplify the sound even further. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to install the right acoustic panels that can help to avoid this.
Rockfon Mono Acoustic provides a stylish surface
When Vardøen was to build the new Villa Paradiso at Munch Brygge in Oslo Bay, the acoustics were considered from the start. The acoustics supplier Rockfon has installed the acoustics product Rockfon Mono Acoustic, which has some very special properties. Vardøen explains:
- I am very concerned that the restaurant should be perceived as authentic without visible technical aids. What's nice about Rockfon is that they deliver a smooth acoustic surface on the ceiling and on the wall that can be fully plastered, so that it looks like brick plaster. Rockfon Mono Acoustic is therefore installed consistently in all my other restaurants as well.
Rockfon works daily to improve the acoustics and sound environment in all types of premises and buildings. Steinar Nygård, district manager at Rockfon, believes the restaurant industry has a lot to gain when it comes to a good acoustic environment:
- All restaurants should focus more on acoustics and noise levels. You pay a lot to eat, and you also come out of the restaurant and think it was good to get out into the silence. It shouldn't be like that. A good acoustic environment sets the stage for a good dining experience. With Rockfon Mono Acoustic, you get a seamless surface in the ceiling that absorbs the sound in the room. It provides a low reverberation time and a low noise level in the restaurant, which means that you can hear the conversation around the table.
With poor acoustics, you will also have dissatisfied guests. Vardøen believes that guests are not afraid to speak up about a poor acoustic environment. He therefore notices a big difference after the installation of acoustic panels in all his restaurants.
- Now the restaurant in Oslobukta has been open for a whole year, and I notice that we have not received any complaints about poor acoustics. That is the best feedback, he concludes.
